Reaction of 11-Methoxy-6, 11-dihydrodibenz[b, e]oxepins with Active Methylene Compounds

Abstract

A new method for effecting the formation of a carbon-carbon single bond at the 11-position of 6, 11-dihydrodibenz[b, e]oxepins was developed. The reaction of 11-methoxydibenz[b, e]oxepins with active methylene compounds proceeded in the presence of TiCl₄ under mild conditions to afford the correponding 11-substituted dibenzoxepins in moderate to excellent yield. This was considered to be a vinylogous reaction of ketals with active methylene compounds. The efficacy and some applications of this method are described.