Copper-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of vinyl azides with benzylic Csp3–H bonds for the synthesis of substituted phenanthridines

Abstract

A copper-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of vinyl azides with benzylic C_sp³–H bonds via a tandem dual C–H functionalization process has been developed. This procedure allows access to substituted phenanthridines containing a variety of functional groups. In addition to benzyl hydrocarbons, other substrates containing unactivated C_sp³–H bonds, such as ethers and alkanes could also be applied successfully to this transformation.