Synthesis of saturated 1,4-benzodiazepines via Pd-catalyzed carboamination reactions.

A new synthesis of 1,4-benzodiazepines and 1,4-benzodiazepin-5-ones is reported. The Pd-catalyzed coupling of N-allyl-2-aminobenzylamine derivatives with aryl bromides affords the heterocyclic products in good yield, and substrates bearing allylic methyl groups are transformed to cis-2,3-disubstituted products with >20:1 dr.