Iridium-Catalyzed Carbonylative Synthesis of Halogen-Containing Quinolin-2(1 H)-ones from Internal Alkynes and Simple Anilines.

Quinolin-2(1 H)-ones are important chemicals with various applications in pharmaceuticals. In this communication, we have developed a novel and efficient iridium-catalyzed carbonylative annulation of simple anilines with internal alkynes for the straightforward synthesis of halogen-containing quinolin-2(1 H)-ones. The reaction proceeds without preactivation and directing groups through direct N-H and C-H bond activation with a broad substrate scope and high efficiency. Halogen functional groups can be well tolerated here. Remarkably, this is the first example of an iridium-catalyzed carbonylative C-H activation of anilines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]