A Trifluoroacetic Acid Catalyzed Domino Reaction as an Approach to Amino Acid Derived 2,3-Dihydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepines

Trifluoroacetic acid catalyzed condensation of aromatic amines with substituted benzaldehydes followed by intramolecular cyclization furnishes a highly effective synthesis of amino acid derived 2,3-dihydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepines. The strategy provides an efficient access to a library of benzodiazepines that can be explored for potential pharmaceutical or biological activities.