Our approach to this series'(Scheme I) proceeded from the aniline NJV-bis (alky1 acetates) 5aa and 5b. The latter nitroaniline derivative was prepared from 4b by treatment with ethyl diazoacetate in refluxing benzene in the presence of a catalytic amount of rhodium acetate dimer. g Functionalization of both methylene groups of these ester appendages was accomplished using either bis (dimethy1-amin0) methoxymethane in the case of 5a or tris ...
