A novel one-pot eco-friendly protocol for the synthesis of 2-benzazepine derivatives in water has been developed. 4-Chloro-3-formyl coumarin reacts with benzyl amines under catalyst-free conditions in aqueous medium to afford substituted 5-(2'-hydroxyaryl)-4-amido-2-benzazepines in excellent yields. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.