Pd-Catalyzed Tandem Reaction of [1,1′-Biaryl]-2,2′-dimethylnitriles with Arylboronic Acids: Synthesis of 7-Aryl-2<i>H</i>-azepin-2-ones

The palladium-catalyzed addition-cyclization cascade of [1,1'-biaryl]-2,2'-dimethylnitriles with arylboronic acids was developed, providing an efficient one-pot strategy for constructing 7-aryl-2<i>H</i>-azepin-2-one scaffolds. The protocol demonstrates excellent chemoselectivity, enabling the synthesis of benzo[<i>c</i>]pyrido[2,3-<i>e</i>]azepin and benzo[<i>c</i>]thieno[3,2-<i>e</i>]azepin scaffolds through the selective aryl addition of arylboronic acids to the electron-rich aryl nitrile moiety. The method demonstrates the use of easy availability starting materials, achieving high efficiency, broad applicability across diverse substrates, and excellent functional group compatibility.