Synthesis of azepino[1,2-a]benzimidazoles and imidazo[1,2-a]azepines

Fusion of 4-bromo-1,3-diphenyl-2-buten-1-ones (γ-bromodypnones) with 1,2-dimethyl-1H-benzimidazole and further treatment of the reaction product with a base (morpholine) gives 7,9-diaryl-5-methyl5,10-dihydroazepino[1,2-a] benzimidazol-11-ium bromides. The reaction of γ-bromodypnone with 1-alkyl-2-methyl-1H-imidazoles in benzene at 25 °C gives quaternary azolium salts. Upon heating their solutions in alcohol in the presence of K ₂CO₃ the latter cyclize to 1-R-6,8-diaryl-1,5- dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]azepin-4-ium bromides or 1-R-6,8-diaryl-1H-imidazo[1,2-a] azepines depending on the nature of the substituent in the benzene rings and the substituent at the N(1) atom of the imidazole.