A novel and transition metal-free synthesis of benzo-δ-phosphonolactams from readily available ethyl arylmethylphosphonochloridates and dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepines was developed. The reaction includes tandem phosphonylation, deprotonation, intramolecular nucleophilic addition, and aromatization, affording various polycyclic benzo-δ-phosphonolactams in moderate to good yields and diasteroselectivity in one-pot (up to 96% yield and 83 : 17 dr).
![Graphical abstract: [4+2] Annulation of arylmethylphosphonochloridates with dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepines: a practical approach to polycyclic benzo-δ-phosphonolactams](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/D2NJ05558A.jpg)