Investigations of the Reaction Mechanisms of 1,2-Indanediones with Amino Acids

The reaction mechanisms of amino acids with a new class of fluorogenic reagents were investigated. The structures of colored and fluorescent species formed in these reactions were partially confirmed by experimental evidence. Reaction intermediates, C−N−C 1,3-dipoles derived from imines, were trapped with dipolarophiles in 3 + 2 cycloadditions to form spiropyrrolidines.