Microwave-assisted one-pot regioselective synthesis of 2-alkyl-3,4-dihydro-3-oxo-2H-1,4-benzoxazines

A protocol for regioselective one-pot synthesis of 2-alkyl-3,4-dihydro-3-oxo-2H-1,4-benzoxazines under controlled microwave heating has been developed. Starting from commercially available 2-aminophenols, a base-mediated regioselective O-alkylation took place with 2-bromoalkanoates to give the acyclic intermediates, which underwent spontaneously an intramolecular amidation reaction to furnish 2-alkyl-3,4-dihydro-3-oxo-2H-1,4-benzoxazines in 44–82% yields. For the acyclic intermediate possessing an electron-withdrawing group, microwave heating was necessary for the annulation reaction.