Efficient dehydrogenation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines mediated by dialkyl azodicarboxylates

Various dialkyl azodicarboxylates were investigated for the dehydrogenation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines to quinolines. The dehydrogenation rates varied according to the electronic and steric nature of the used dialkyl azodicarboxylates. Among solvents screened with diethyl azodicarboxylate, chloroform exhibited superior results to others. A variety of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines underwent the present dehydrogenation to produce the corresponding quinolines. Diethyl hydrazodicarboxylate, which is a reduced species of diethyl azodicarboxylate, was easily separated for recycle.