Regioselective and Stereoselective Synthesis of Pyridine-Fused Benzoxepine Derivatives by Intramolecular Reductive Heck Cyclization

An efficient method for the synthesis of 6,11‐dihydro[2]benzoxepino[4,3‐b]pyridine derivatives via Pd(0) catalyzed intramolecular reductive Heck cyclization is reported. The method offers the regioselective and stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized pyridine‐fused benzoxepine derivatives in 75–85% yields under mild conditions. Chemoselective Sonogashira coupling is utilized for the synthesis of cyclization precursors. The stereochemistry of the exocyclic double bond of 6,11‐dihydro[2]benzoxepino[4,3‐b]pyridine derivatives is confirmed from single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The absence of N–Pd(II) interaction results in a reverse stereochemistry of the exocyclic double bond of dibenzoxepine derivative.