Synthesis of Substituted Quinolines Via Allylic Amination and Intramolecular Heck-coupling

A new catalytic approach for the synthesis of substituted quinolines via C-N and C-C bond formation using 2-haloaryl hydroxylamines and allylic C-H substrates is described. Fe-catalyzed allylic C-H amination followed by Pd-catalyzed intramolecular Heck-coupling and aerobic dehydrogenation deliver the valuable quinoline and naphthyridine heterocycles in good to excellent overall yields. In this process, Pd(OAc)2 plays a dual role in catalyzing Heck coupling as well as aerobic dehydrogenation of dihydroquinolines.