FeCl3-Catalyzed Decyanative [4 + 2] Annulation of α-Aminonitriles with Alkynes: Access to 2,4-Diaryl Quinolines in Batch and Continuous-Flow Processes

Org Lett. 2023 Jun 9;25(22):4086-4091. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c01306. Epub 2023 May 25.

Abstract

FeCl3-catalyzed decyanation of α-aminonitriles followed by a [4 + 2] annulation with terminal alkynes has been developed to synthesize 2,4-diaryl quinolines. A broad range of aniline, aldehyde, and arylacetylene derivatives were well tolerated to access 2,4-diaryl quinolines in moderate to good yields. The control experiment studies suggested that the reaction proceeds through a nonradical pathway involving Povarov-type [4 + 2] annulation from the in situ generated iminium species. The synthetic application of this strategy (i) includes gram-scale synthesis and (ii) a continuous-flow process for a few representative compounds in a shorter reaction time (22 min) and (iii) worked well with styrene as a proof of concept.

MeSH terms

  • Alkynes*
  • Catalysis
  • Molecular Structure
  • Quinolines*

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • Quinolines
  • ferric chloride