Regiospecific synthesis of neuroprotective 1,4-benzoxazine derivatives through a tandem oxidation-Diels-Alder reaction.

The tandem oxidation-inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction of o-aminophenol derivatives and enamines has been accomplished at room temperature using a stoichiometric amount of manganese dioxide as the oxidant to furnish highly substituted 1,4-benzoxazine cycloadducts with complete regiochemical control. Because of its efficiency in introducing diverse elements in both cycloaddition partners, this one-pot process should allow the assembly of libraries of biologically relevant 1,4-benzoxazine derivatives. In this respect, the 3,3-diphenyl-substituted-1,4-benzoxazine derivative 3n was found to be a potent neuroprotective agent in an animal model of excitotoxic lesions in newborn mice.