Pd-Catalyzed Annulation of Aryl Iodides with Ynamides for the Synthesis of 9-Aminophenanthrenes: Regioselectivity in Reductive Elimination of Pallada(IV)cycle

This work describes an efficient Pd-catalyzed three-component annulation process of aryl iodides and ynamides. A wide variety of 9-aminophenanthrenes bearing various functional groups can be obtained in up to 94% yield. The reaction likely proceeds via a 3-amino-substituted pallada(IV)cycle through sequential reaction processes. It appears that the formation of the aryl-vinyl bond is preferred over the aryl-aryl bond during the reductive elimination of the pallada(IV)cycle.