Pyridine hydrochloride benzene ring

Reductions with noble metal catalysts proceed smoothly (at 20°C) when the bases are in the form of hydrochlorides the free bases tend to poison the catalyst. A pyridine ring is reduced more easily than a benzene ring thus, 2-phenylpyridine gives 2-phenylpiperidine (384), quinoline gives 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (385) and acridine gives 9,10-dihydroacridine (386). 

Energetic reduction with lithium aluminum hydride led to the reduction of the carbonyl group with the formation of the correct alcohol epimer, as expected from the steric hindrance presented by the benzene ring, and to removal of the aromatic bromine. This last reaction is a noteworthy example of the removal of aromatically bound halogen without reduction of either an allyhc hydroxyl or a double bond. The codeine so produced (CCCLXXXIII) was then demethylated to morphine (CCCLXXXIV) by short heating to 220° with pyridine hydrochloride. 

Analogs of the latter [compounds 251] containing methyl substituents instead of the NO2 group at various positions in the benzene ring were obtained with yields of 73-91% by condensation of the anhydrides 150 with Z.-proline 249 in the presence of pyridine hydrochloride [165],... 

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