Rhodium-catalyzed decarboxylative cycloaddition route to substituted anilines.

ABSTRACT

A convenient method for preparing substituted anilines via a Rh-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of diynes and 2-oxazolone was discovered. The initial cycloaddition adducts undergo facile decarboxylation of carbon dioxide to afford aniline products. Reaction conditions are mild, and only 3 mol % Rh catalyst is required. High regioselectivity was observed when an unsymmetrical diyne was used as a starting material.