An efficient reduction of azides to amines: synthesis of DNA interactive pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines

Reaction of a variety of azido compounds with FeSO4·7H2O/NH3 results in quantitative yields of the corresponding amino compounds. This reductive methodology has been extended towards the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine antibiotics.