Studies toward the synthesis of cinachyramine. An efficient route to 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-enes.

Hydrogenation (3 atm) of readily available pyrido[1,2-]pyrimidines , , and over 5% Rh/AlO forms 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-enes , , and in > 95% yield, providing a general route to this little-studied class of compounds.