Access to Different Isomeric Dibenzoxazepinones through Copper-Catalyzed C–H Etherification and C–N Bond Construction with Controllable Smiles Rearrangement

An efficient new way to access two regio-isomeric dibenzoxazepinones is reported from 8-aminoquinoline benzamides and 2-bromophenols. Through choice of conditions, the reaction proceeds either through a sequential C–H etherification and subsequent Goldberg reaction, both controlled by the aminoquinoline group and Cu­(I), or via a C–H etherification and subsequent Smiles rearrangement promoted by Cu­(II) and t-BuOK. The 8-aminoquinoline moiety, e.g., 8-amino-5-methoxyquinoline, is readily removable from the structures of dibenzoxazepinones under moderate conditions.