A new simple synthesis of 1,4‐benzodiazepines

Abstract A convenient synthesis of 1,4‐benzodiazepines starting from secondary‐2‐aminobenzhydrols, which are easily obtained from secondary anilines and benzaldehydes, is described. 7‐Nitro‐1‐methyl‐1,4‐benzodiazepine 1d can be formed from 5‐nitro‐2‐methylaminomethylacylaminobenzo‐phenone 10b and c by using ammonium carbonate instead of ammonia, which gives only the Smiles‐rearranged product 11 .