The triflic acid-mediated cyclisation of N-benzylcinnamanilides

N-Benzylcinnamanilides cyclise with triflic acid to form 1-benzyl-4-aryl-2,4-dihydro-1H-quinolin-2-ones and 2,5-diaryl-benzazepin-3-ones. The product ratio is determined by the preferred orientation of the amide and by the electronics of the substituents. With ortho-substituted anilides, N-debenzylation also occurs to give 4-aryl-2,4-dihydro-1H-quinoline-2-ones.