Ruthenium-catalyzed electrochemical C–H activation of benzamidine hydrochlorides with internal alkynes for the synthesis of 1-aminoisoquinolines

Abstract

A constant current electrochemical approach for the synthesis of 1-aminoisoquinoline derivatives through the Ru(II)-catalyzed annulation of benzamidine hydrochlorides with alkynes is reported herein. This method produces good yields of naphthyridine-based compounds via Ru(II)-catalyzed C–H bond cleavage, leading to the formation of new C–C and C–N bonds in a one-pot manner. Notably, the synergy of electricity and Ru catalysis offers broad reaction compatibility, accommodating a wide range of substrates with diverse steric and electronic properties. Additionally, this method also eliminates the use of stoichiometric amounts of external chemical oxidants.