Synthesis of a novel series of 4,4-disubstituted 2,3,4,7-tetrahydroazepines

A general, simple and straightforward strategy for the synthesis of a novel series of 4,4-disubstituted 2,3,4,7-tetrahydroazepines is described. This route involves a one-pot Wittig olefination/N-allylation process on a five-membered hemi-aminal followed by a final ring closing metathesis reaction.