Three new coupling agents with different numbers of N-acyl lactam and 4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one groups were synthesized. A selective stepwise conversion of the coupling agents with 1-dodecanol and 1-dodecylamine was demonstrated by means of solvent-free model reactions in melt at 195 and 210 C, respectively. These coupling agents are regarded as potential cores for the synthesis of novel starlike compounds and polymers with defined arms varying in type and lengths. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.