Reactions of 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-Hydroxyquinolines and 5-Hydroxyisoquinoline with Benzene and Cyclohexane in Superacids¹

Isomeric 5-, 6-, 7-hydroxyquinolines (11-13) and 5-hydroxyisoquinoline (14) gave N,C-diprotonated dications in CF(3)SO(3)H-SbF(5) superacid medium. Compounds 11, 13, 14, and 8-hydroxyquinoline (5) underwent selective ionic hydrogenation with cyclohexane in the presence of aluminum chloride. Compounds 11 and 14 condense with benzene in the presence of aluminum halides. The detailed mechanism of reactions, which involves superelectrophilic dicationic intermediates, is discussed.