Benzothiazocine lb is most expediently prepared using a two-step procedure wherein amino ketone 5b is isolated; condensation of the mercaptide anion of 2 (preformed from 2 using sodium methoxide) with chloro ketone 3 gives 5b in excellent yield. Subsequent ring closure is accomplished by acid catalysis and azeotropic removal of water. Additional derivatives la, ce are prepared similarly. Structure assignment of 1 via-&-vis 4 is ambiguous using ...