Study of the behavior of p-bis{3-[N,N-dialkyl-N-(4-hydroxybut-2-ynyl)ammonio]prop-2-ynyl}-benzene dichlorides in relation to aqueous alkali. Double intramolecular recyclization of benzo[5,6;5′,6′-a,c]di(2,2-dialkyl-4-hydroxymethyl)isoindolinium dichlorides

p-Bis{3-[N,N-dialkyl-N-(4-hydroxybut-2-ynyl)ammonio]prop-2-ynyl}benzene dichloride in the presence of catalytic amounts of aqueous alkali is subject to a double intramolecular cyclization forming benzo[5,6;5′,6′-a,c]di(2,2-dialkyl-4-hydroxymethyl)isoindolinium dichloride in 40–42% yield. Simultaneously an intramolecular recyclization takes place with the formation of dialkyl(6-dialkylaminomethyl-7,9,10,12-tetrahydro-8,11-dioxadicyclopenta[c,g]phenanthren-1-ylmethyl)amines in 7–9% yield. The same compounds are obtained in 70–72% yield by the recyclization of benzo[5,6;5′,6′-a,c]di(2,2-dialkyl-4-hydroxymethyl)isoindolinium dichlorides under conditions of aqueous alkaline degradation.