Access to Benzazepinones by Pd-Catalyzed Remote C-H Carbonylation of γ-Arylpropylamine Derivatives.

A general method for the construction of seven-membered rings through Pd-catalyzed C(sp2)-H carbonylation at the remote ε-position of γ-arylpropylamine derivatives, including chiral α-amino acids, has been developed using Mo(CO)6 as the CO source, furnishing richly functionalized benzo[ c]azepin-1-one derivatives. The readily removable N-SO2Py protecting/directing group provides high levels of chemo-, regio- and diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, this method is amenable to the postsynthetic modification of complex molecules such as small peptides.