The addition of mercaptoacetic acid to 1-(2', 3', 4'-trimethoxypheny1) cyclohexene under free- radical conditions yielded t, he cis acid IV. The resulting acid was converted to the acid chloride and cyclized with aluminum chloride to cis-l, 2, 3, 4, 4a, 1 lb-hexahydro-9, 10, 1l- trimethoxydibenzo [b, d] thiepin-7 (6H)-one (VI). The corresponding trans compound XI1 was prepared by displacement of the trans-tosylate of 2-(2', 3', 4'-trimethoxyphen-y1) ...
