Synthesis of tetrahydrothiepine derivatives (compounds 5a–5d); Reagents and conditions: (a) anisol, AlCl3, 1,2-dichloroetane, (b) Na2S·9H2O, acetone, H2O, (c) Zn, TiCl4, THF, (d) BBr3, CH2Cl2, (e) m-CPBA, CH2Cl2, (f) 3-dimethylamino-1-propanol, Ph3P, DEAD, THF.