4-Phenyl derivatives of spinaceamine and spinacine undergo mild catalytic hydrogenation under atmospheric pressure with cleavage of the C-4-N-5 bond to give 5-benzyl-substituted histamines and histidines. The process is likely to be facilitated by the double benzylic effect on the C-N bond of the imidazole and benzene rings.
4-Phenyl derivatives of spinaceamine and spinacine undergo mild catalytic hydrogenation under atmospheric pressure with cleavage of the C-4-N-5 bond to give 5-benzyl-substituted histamines and histidines. The process is likely to be facilitated by the double benzylic effect on the C-N bond of the imidazole and benzene rings.