New and versatile syntheses of 3-alkyl- and 3-aryl-1,2,4-benzotriazine 1,4-dioxides: preparation of the bioreductive cytotoxins SR 4895 and SR 4941

Palladium-mediated coupling of 3-chloro-1,2,4-benzotriazine 1-oxide with a variety of stannanes in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₄ gives 3-alkyl derivatives in good yields. Suzuki reaction of the 3-chloro compound with phenylboronic acids gives 3-aryl-1,2,4-benzotriazine 1-oxides. Oxidation of 1-oxides with trifluoroperacetic acid gives the 1,4-dioxides. This method provides a better route to the potential anti-cancer agents SR 4895 and SR 4941.