A new approach for the synthesis of spiro and gem-dimethyl-substituted 1,4-oxazepines from N-propargylic beta-enaminones

An efficient and general method for the synthesis of spiro-1,4-oxazepines and 3,3-dimethyl-1,4-oxazepines is reported. When treated with ZnI2 and AgSbF6 in refluxing DCE, cyclohexane-embedded N-propargylic beta-enaminones underwent 7-exo-dig cyclization to afford spiro-1,4-oxazepines, specifically 12-methylene-11-oxa-7-azaspiro[5.6]dodeca-7,9-dienes, in good to high yields. Accordingly, N-(1,1-dimethyl)propargylic beta-enaminones produced 3,3-dimethyl-1,4-oxazepines. Cyclization was found to be general for a diverse range of N-propargylic beta-enaminones with high efficiency and broad functional group tolerance. This operationally easy method might provide quick access to a library of functionalized spiro and gem-dimethyl-substituted 1,4-oxazepine derivatives of pharmacological interest.