Novel indole syntheses by ring transformation of β-lactam-condensed 1,3-benzothiazines into indolo[2,3-b][1,4]benzothiazepines and indolo[3,2-c]isoquinolines

ortho-Nitrophenyl-substituted condensed 1,3-benzothiazines proved to be a useful core unit in indole syntheses under non-reductive conditions. Thus, the treatment of ortho-nitro-2-aryl-2a-chloro-4H-azeto[2,1-b][1,3]benzothiazin-1-ones with sodium methoxide in methanol provided indolo-1,4-benzothiazepines via a novel rearrangement. Through the sulfur extrusion reaction of indolo[2,3-b][1,4]benzothiazepines, further alkaloid-type indole derivatives, indolo[3,2-c]isoquinolines, were obtained. The structures of the new ring systems were determined by means of NMR spectroscopy.