Copper-catalyzed chemoselective heterocyclization of two isocyanides: Facile access to pyrroloazepinone derivatives

A Cu-catalyzed chemoselective heterocyclization of o-cinnamoyl arylisocyanides with α-substituted tosylmethyl isocyanides is developed for the efficient synthesis benzopyrroloazepinones. An isocyanide insertion into the C–Cu bond of organocuprate intermediate is involved for the formation of the seven-membered azepinone ring. A Cu-catalyzed chemoselective heterocyclization of o -cinnamoyl arylisocyanides with α -substituted tosylmethyl isocyanides is developed for the efficient synthesis benzopyrroloazepinones