Amine addition to nitro group

What is the mechanisms of this reaction? How feasible is this reaction? Can it happen under relatively mild conditions if it is intermolecular?


![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/GhoTc.gif)




A reasonable mechanism for the transformation is shown below. Since this is under basic conditions, I've written a mechanism that avoids cationic intermediates. Deprotonating the hydrazine gives a very nucleophilic nitrogen that can attack the nitro group. Proton transfer gives a nitrogen anion, which can kick out hydroxide. Two additional proton transfer steps lead to the product, HOBt.


![Proposed mechanism](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Dxtqp.jpg)


A SciFinder search didn't reveal any examples of the intermolecular variant of this reaction, although I didn't find this exact intramolecular reaction either.


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