Synthesis of substituted 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepines; key synthons in syntheses of pharmaceutically active compounds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/jhet.5570360110

Substituted 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepines are key synthons in the syntheses of a number of pharmaceutically active compounds such as imipramine, chlorimipramine, and desimipramine analogues. A facile synthesis of substituted 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepines is described, starting out from commercially available 2-bromotoluenes or 2-nitrotoluenes. Initial α-bromination with N-bromosuccinimide and subsequent reaction with triethylphosphite afforded the corresponding benzyl phosphonic ester derivatives. After reaction with benzaldehyde derivatives, the expected Horner-Emmons reaction products were obtained. Hydrogenation gave the amino derivatives which were transformed into the corresponding formamides. Under Goldberg conditions [1], the final ring closing step was performed to give the substituted 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepines in 46-75% yield.