Cp*Rh(iii)-catalyzed C(sp 3 )-H alkylation of 8-methylquinolines in aqueous media.

The rhodium(iii)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 8-methylquinolines with a range of allylic alcohols in water is described. This approach leads to the synthesis of various γ-quinolinyl carbonyl compounds, which are synthetically useful precursors for the construction of bioactive tetrahydroquinoline and azasteroid derivatives.