A novel multicomponent reaction of o-phenylenediamines with aldehydes and isonitriles yields 1,4-dihydroquinoxalines. These intermediates are unstable under reaction conditions. They undergo oxidation with DDQ to furnish 33-54% isolated yields of the respective quinoxalines. This reaction is general for aromatic 1,2-diamines. Monoalkylated aryl 1,2-diamines lead to stable 1,4-dihydroquinoxalines.

A number of N ^α-alkyl,N ^β-acylhydrazines have been synthesized via the Ugi reaction of N-acylhydrazones with an isocyanide and trifluoroacetic acid. The trifluoroacetic acid acted as a ‘silent partner’ and becomes removed upon basic workup of the reaction. These compounds have been efficiently modified further via reductive alkylation to produce N ^α,N ^α-dialkyl,N ^β-acylhydrazines. The two groups of novel hydrazinopeptide motifs have been shown by simple ^¹H NMR spectroscopic experiments to display two different secondary structure patterns. These observations were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Combining the hydrazone and carboxylic acid moieties in one reaction precursor offers the opportunity for an ‘intramolecular’ hydrazino-Ugi reaction, which was also demonstrated.