Synthesis of Substituted Pyridine Derivatives via the Ruthenium-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 3-Azadienynes

We describe a two-step conversion of various N-vinyl and N-aryl amides to the corresponding substituted pyridines and quinolines, respectively. The process involves the direct conversion of amides, including sensitive N-vinyl amides, to the corresponding trimethylsilyl alkynyl imines followed by a ruthenium-catalyzed protodesilylation and cycloisomerization. A wide range of new alkynyl imines are prepared and readily converted to the corresponding azaheterocycles.