The reduction of 2-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)sulfanylbenzoic acid, CID:2733664 (1) gives [2-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)sulfanylphenyl]methanol, CID:12853582 (2). Halogenating with thionyl chloride gives 1-(chloromethyl)-2-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)sulfanylbenzene, CID:12853583 (3). FGI with cyanide gives 2-[2-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)sulfanylphenyl]acetonitrile, CID:12853584 (4). Alkali hydrolysis of the nitrile to 2-[2-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)sulfanylphenyl]acetic acid, CID:12383832 (5). PPA cyclization to 3-methylsulfanyl-6H-benzo[b][1]benzothiepin-5-one, CID:827052 (6). The reduction with sodium borohydride gives 3-methylsulfanyl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[b][1]benzothiepin-5-ol, CID:13597048 (7). Halogenating with a second round of thionyl chloride gives 5-chloro-3-methylsulfanyl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[b][1]benzothiepine, CID:12404411. Alkylation with 1-methylpiperazine [109-01-3] completed the synthesis of Metitepine (9).
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^Pelz K, Jirkovsky L, Adlerova E, Metysova J, Protiva M (1968). "Über die in 8-Stellung durch die Methyl-, tert. Butyl-, Methoxy-, Methylthio-und Methansulfonylgruppe substituierten 10-(4-Methylpiperazino)-10,11-dihydrodibenzo [b, f] thiepin-Derivate". Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications. 33: 1895–1910. doi:10.1135/cccc19681895.