Simple and facile reduction of azides to amines: synthesis of DNA interactive pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines

The reduction of aromatic azido compounds to the corresponding amines with hydriodic acid has been investigated and found to result in high yields. This reductive methodology which proceeds under non refluxing condition has been extended for the synthesis of DNA-interactive pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4] benzodiazepine antibiotics.