Synthesis of 3-aryl substituted benzo[1,2,5]triazepin-4-ones via intramolecular imine formation

3-Aryl substituted benzo[1,2,5]triazepin-4-ones and their pyrido counterparts have been synthesized in five steps from commercially available starting materials. The key step involves base-induced cleavage of trifluoroacetyl-protected hydrazine intermediates and in situ intramolecular imine formation.