A Microwave‐Assisted Heck Reaction in Poly(ethylene glycol) for the Synthesis of Benzazepines

The Heck reaction of alkylated 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethanesulfonyl (SES)-protected β-amino esters provides benzazepines in good yields. Good selectivity towards cyclisation was obtained when the reaction was performed in PEG 3400 as the solvent under microwave activation. Cleavage of the SES group with HF provides the corresponding free benzazepine. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)