Silver/molybdenum-promoted skeletal reconstructive cyclization of N-quinolinyl indoles and anthranils

Abstract

A silver/molybdenum-promoted synthesis of structurally diverse functionalized quinolines via skeletal reconstructive cyclization of N-quinolinyl indoles and anthranils is described. The reaction was accomplished with moderate to good efficiencies, tolerating a variety of functional groups. The quinolinyl group at the N-position of indole has proven to be essential for enhancing the reactivity. Moreover, the gram-scale synthesis and late-stage modification of the product have been performed to demonstrate the potential utility of this strategy.