Synthesis 2014; 46(18): 2463-2470
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1378279
paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Synthesis of Methyl 7,9-Dimethyl-5-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepine-1-carboxylate and Its Analogues

Radhe K. Vaid*
Small Molecule Design and Development, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA   Fax: +1(317)2764507   Email: vaid_radhe_k@lilly.com
,
Sathish K. Boini
Small Molecule Design and Development, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA   Fax: +1(317)2764507   Email: vaid_radhe_k@lilly.com
,
Charles A. Alt
Small Molecule Design and Development, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA   Fax: +1(317)2764507   Email: vaid_radhe_k@lilly.com
,
Jeremy T. Spitler
Small Molecule Design and Development, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA   Fax: +1(317)2764507   Email: vaid_radhe_k@lilly.com
,
Chad E. Hadden
Small Molecule Design and Development, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA   Fax: +1(317)2764507   Email: vaid_radhe_k@lilly.com
,
Scott A. Frank
Small Molecule Design and Development, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA   Fax: +1(317)2764507   Email: vaid_radhe_k@lilly.com
,
Eric D. Moher
Small Molecule Design and Development, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA   Fax: +1(317)2764507   Email: vaid_radhe_k@lilly.com
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 06 March 2014

Accepted after revision: 20 May 2014

Publication Date:
24 June 2014 (online)


Abstract

A high-yielding five-step synthesis of the title compound, methyl 7,9-dimethyl-5-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepine-1-carboxylate, starting from 2,4-dimethylaniline was developed. This synthesis involved N-alkylation of 2,4-dimethyl­aniline with ethyl 4-bromobutyrate to obtain ethyl 4-[(2,4-dimethylphenyl)amino]butanoate. Carbamoylation of the latter followed by hydrolysis of the resulting ester provided 4-[(2,4-dimethylphenyl)(methoxycarbonyl)amino]butanoic acid. Activation of the carboxylic acid using thionyl chloride followed by intramolecular cyclization via a Friedel–Crafts reaction using aluminum trichloride provided the title compound in good yield. Analogues of the title compound were also prepared similarly.

Supporting Information