Metal‐Free Synthesis of Alkenylazaarenes and 2‐Aminoquinolines through Base‐Mediated Aerobic Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Benzyl Alcohols.

A metal‐free, base‐mediated, and atom‐efficient oxidative dehydrogenative coupling of substituted phenylmethanols (benzyl alcohols) with methyl azaarenes or phenylacetonitriles to afford substituted alkenylazaarenes or 2‐aminoquinolines, respectively is described. CsOH.H2O was discovered to be the base of choice for obtaining optimal yields of the title compounds, although the reaction could proceed with KOH as well. The protocol that works efficiently in the presence of air is amenable over broad range of substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]