Copper-Catalyzed Ring-Opening/Reconstruction of Anthranils with Oxo-Compounds: Synthesis of Quinoline Derivatives

A copper-catalyzed protocol for the construction of various 2-aryl(alkyl)-3-acylquinolines or 3-arylquinolines using readily available anthranils and 1,3-diketones or aldehydes as starting materials is reported herein. Dioxygen as the sole oxidant and hexafluoroisopropanol as the solvent play an important role in both procedures. This ring-opening/reconstruction strategy involving N-O bond cleavage and C-N/C-C bond formation features high yields and broad substrate scope.