Quinazolines and 1,4‐benzodiazepines LVII. 1H‐1,4‐benzodiazepines

The preparation of the title compounds 3 and 4 using two different methods of synthesis is described. These compounds are readily reduced to 2,3-dihydro-1H-derivatives 5. Oxidation of 2-alkylthio-1H-1,4-benzodiazepines leads to the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones. The oxidative rearrangement of sulfones 9 to a 2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one derivative 10 is also given. The “normal” addition of azodicarboxylate together with an unusual addition of two moles of acetylenedicarboxylate to the enamine double bond of 1H compounds is discussed.