Rh(ii)-catalyzed and Cu(i)-mediated synthesis of furopyridones using N-substituted pyridones and diazonaphthoquinones: applications in photophysical studies

Abstract

An efficient one-pot synthesis of furopyridones has been developed via Rh(II)-catalyzed C5–H arylation of 2-pyridones with diazonaphthoquinones, followed by Cu(I)-mediated oxidative C–O bond formation at the C6 position. The method is simple and has a wide scope. Control experiments and DFT calculations indicate that the C5–H arylation proceeds via the formation of a quinoid carbene intermediate. The synthesized furopyridones were screened for promising photophysical properties.