Dehydroacetic acid, precursor of benzodiazepine synthesis

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(01)93425-2

Reaction of o-phenylenediamine 1 with dehydracetic acid 2 in different alcohols leads to 2-alkoxycarbonylmethyl 4-methyl 1,5-benzodiazepines 3-7, to 4-acetyl methylene 1,5-benzodiazepin-2-one 8, and to benzimidazoles 9 and 10. This constitutes a novel and efficient synthesis of some benzodiazepine derivatives.