Attempted synthesis of ethyl 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-3-carboxylate and 3-acetate derivatives

Ethyl 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazine‐3‐carboxylate derivatives 2 were obtained and isolated in low yields from the condensation of 2‐aminophenol and ethyl 2,3‐dibromopropanoate. They can be obtained by hydrogenation of ethyl 2H‐1,4‐benzoxazine‐3‐carboxylate in satisfactory yield. Using 2‐iminophenol did not direct the condensation with ethyl 2,3‐dibromopropanoate towards 2 but was fruitfull for the preparation of ethyl 2‐(4‐benzyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐yl)acetate from ethyl bromocrotonate.