Azulene and guaiazulene react with nitroethene to form substitution products having 2- nitroethyl, 2, 4-dinitrobutyl, or 2-nitroethenyl groups at the 1 (3)-position in low yields. The presence of formic acid prevented the formation of the dinitrobutyl compound, and increased the yield of the 2-nitroethyl derivative. A reaction course leading to these products is proposed. Reduction of 1-(2-nitroethyl) azulene and 1-(2-nitroethyl) guaiazulene gave the ...
