Synthesis of thieno[2′,3′(3′,4′ or 3′,2′):5,6]azepino[2,1‐ a ]isoindolediones from N ‐Thienyl‐2(3)‐ylmethylphthalimides

Reduction of N ‐thienybnethylphthalimides 5a‐e followed by the Wittig reaction gave the substituted acetic acids 8a‐e . Their corresponding acyl chlorides where cyclized in the presence of aluminium trichloride to furnish the cyclic ketones 9a‐e . Treatment of these ketones with bromine followed by triethylamine, or with selenium dioxide led to the thienoazepinoisoindolediones 1a‐e .