Lossen rearrangement by Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/annulation of aryl hydroxamates with alkynes: access to quinolone-containing amino acid derivatives.

A convenient and robust method for the preparation of new CF3-containing 2-quinolones has been developed via a Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/Lossen rearrangement/annulation cascade of N-pivaloyloxy-arylamides with internal alkynes bearing an α-CF3-α-amino acid moiety on the triple bond. This work expands the scope of valuable products that are available through C-H activation/annulation reactions of arylamides in organic synthesis.