Ring transformations of β-lactam-condensed 1,3-benzothiazines to isoquinoline and thiazole derivatives by sulfur extrusion and addition sequences

The ring transformations of dichloro-β-lactam-fused 2-aryl-1,3-benzothiazines with sodium methoxide were investigated. With 2 equiv of base, the dichloro-β-lactam derivatives underwent rearrangement and dihydro-1,4-benzothiazepines, 3,4-substituted isoquinolines and substituted thiazole disulfides were isolated. A possible reaction mechanism is proposed for the simultaneous formation of the novel products. The formation of isoquinoline and thiazole derivatives can be explained by sulfur extrusion and addition sequences.