| abstract |
The present invention relates to a novel a process for the preparation of the compound of the general formula (I), wherein R1 and R2 are independently H or C1-6 alkyl, which comprises treating with a reducing agent either a compound of the general formula (II), wherein R1 and R2 have the meanings given for the compound of the formula (I), R3 is H or C1-4alkyl and Ph is phenyl, or a compound of the general formula (III), wherein R1, R2, R3 and Ph have the meanings given for the compound of the formula (II), the reducing agent being effective to cleave the benzyl moiety Ph-CH(R3)- from the benzylamino moiety PhCH(R3)NH- in the compound of the formula (II) or in the compound of the formula (III) to leave an amino group and, in addition, in the case of the compound of the formula (III), to reduce both the 2,3-double bond and the double bond joining the R1R2C- moiety to the 9-position of the benzonorbornene ring to single bonds. It also relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds (II) and (III) and their precursors and to the compounds (II) and (III) themselves and certain of their precursors, which are novel compounds. The compounds (I) are useful for the preparation of various fungicidal heterocyclyl-carboxylic acid benzonorbornen-5-yl-amides. |