Quinazolines and 1,4-benzodiazepines. XCV. Synthesis of 1,4-benzodiazepines by ring expansion of 2-chloromethylquinazolines with carbanions

1,4-Benzodiazepines bearing a carbon substituent at the 2-position were obtained by reaction of 2-chloromethylquinazoline 3-oxides with stabilized carbanions. The carbanions of alkyl acetates, N,N-disubstituted acetamides, acetonitrile, dimethylsulfone, N,N-dimethyl methanesulfonamide and 2-methylpyridine were successfully applied. The conversion of some of the 2-carbon substituted 1,4-benzodiazepines to imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepines and [1,2,5]oxadiazino[5,4-a][1,4]benzodiazepines is described.