methodology for synthesizing 2,3-benzodiazepines and their analogues by means of phosphate-assisted acylation reaction of 1-arylpropan-2-ones with a carboxylic acid followed by hydrazine cyclization in a one-pot two-step manner. An unprotected amino group is tolerated in this reaction. This method provides a direct access to 2,3-benzodiazepines containing aromatic 7,8-dimethoxy and 1-p-aminophenyl groups,