We have generated 3-methoxy-4-carbomethoxyphenylnitrene and 3, 4- dimethoxyphenylnitrene under various conditions, in a search for new azepines. Unexpectedly, only the former, by photolysis of dimethyl p-azidosalicylate, gave an azepine. Intramolecular coordination of the nitrene to the carbonyl group being impossible, electronic rather than steric effects are implicated. The product, methyl 2, 4-dimethoxy-3H-azepine-5- ...