Relevance of maize research in Kenya to maize production problems perceived by farmers.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepines are prepared from corresponding 5-desphenyl, 4,5-unsaturated benzodiazepines by treatment of the latter compounds with an organo metallic phenyl compound. The product compounds are useful as intermediates in the preparation of medicinally valuable 5-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-1,4-benzodiazepines. Methods for preparing the 5-desphenyl, 4,5-unsaturated 1H-1,4-benzodiazepines are provided and intermediates useful in such preparation are identified.