Palladium-catalyzed C(sp(3))-H activation: a facile method for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydroquinolinone derivatives.

ABSTRACT

3,4-Dihydroquinolinones were synthesized by the palladium-catalyzed, oxidative-addition-initiated activation and arylation of inert C(sp(3) )H bonds. Pd(OAc)2 and P(o-tol)3 were used as the catalyst and ligand, respectively, to improve the efficiency of the reaction. A further advantage of this reaction is that it could be performed in air. A relatively rare seven-membered palladacycle was proposed as a key intermediate of the catalytic cycle.