A useful sequence of reactions for the syntheses of a variety of heterocycl
ic systems including an oxadiazepine ring is described. The key step involv
es the condensation of substituted 2,2'-(1,2-ethanediyldiimino)bisphenols w
ith ethanedial to provide stereoselectively the 6a,7a-trans-6,6a,7a,8,15,16
-hexahydro[1,4]benzoxazine[4',3':6,7][1,3,6]oxadiazepino[2,3-c][1,4]-benzox
azine-6,8-diol framework, as established by X-ray diffraction analyses. (C)
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