A general synthesis of quinolinones and benzothiazine 1, 1-dioxides is presented. A series of N-phenylacrylamides and N-phenylethylenesulfonamides were studied for their ability to undergo ring closing methathesis to yield the corresponding quinolinones and benzothiazine 1, 1-dioxides, respectively. The reactions are general in scope and represents a mild method for the preparation of these heterocycles.