Intermolecular and Regioselective Access to Polysubstituted Benzo- and Dihydrobenzo[c]azepine Derivatives: Modulating the Reactivity of Group 6 Non-Heteroatom-Stabilized Alkynyl Carbene Complexes

We highlight the versatility of non-heteroatom-stabilized tungsten-carbene complexes 3 synthesized in situ, which have been used in a modular approach to access 2-benzazepinium isolable intermediates 5. By employing very mild conditions, benzazepinium derivatives 5 have been obtained in high yield from simple compounds, such as acetylides 2, Fischer-type alkoxycarbenes 1, and phenylimines 4. The process, involving a formal [4+3] heterocycloaddition, occurs in a totally regioselective manner, which differs from the approach previously observed in similar procedures for other carbene analogues. This work, which involves three components, reveals a control of the reactivity of non-heteroatom-stabilized carbene complexes 3 ([4+3] vs. [2+2]-heterocycloaddition reactions) depending on the acetylide substitution pattern. The influence of the substitution pattern in the behavior of the complexes has been computationally analyzed and rationalized. Finally, elaboration of the 2-benzazepinium intermediates allows access to 3H-benzo[c]azepines 6 and 3H-1,2-dihydrobenzo[c]azepines 7-9 with high control of the substitution of the nine positions of the heterocycle.