Annelated derivatives of [1,4]diazepine are well known due to the broad range of their biological activity. We have recently reported a synthesis of derivatives of pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]diazepine based on the acidcatalyzed recyclization of N-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-3-aminothieno[2,3-b]pyridinecarboxamides and N-(5-methyl-2-furyl)anthranilamides [1,2]. This method involves the simultaneous formation of diazepine and pyrrole rings. The anthranilamides used in the reaction were obtained by the reduction of the corresponding ortho-nitrobenzamides.In the present work, we present a one-pot synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2
-a][1,4]benzodiazepinones 1a-c directly from o-[N-(5-alkyl-2-furyl)methyl]nitrobenzamides 2a-c.The proposed method involves opening of the furan ring to form a 1,4-diketone and followed by reduction of the nitro group, leading to spontaneous intramolecular cyclization and formation of the pyrrolodiazepine system. R R O N H O R N O O HCl/EtOH R R O N H N O O O R O N H N R O R R SnCl 2 ·2H 2 O, 20°C 2a-c 1a-c 55-65°C -+ 1 1 + -1 1,2 a R = H; R 1 = Me; b R =MeO, R 1 =Me; c R = MeO, R 1 =Et