Metal free access to quinolines via C–C bond cleavage of styrenes

Abstract

A new metal free self-sorting tandem reaction between styrenes and anilines to access 2,4-disubstituted quinolines has been developed. The reaction relies on simultaneous C–C and C–N bond formation along with a C–C bond cleavage, under metal free conditions. The reaction proceeds efficiently over a broad range of substrates with excellent functional group tolerance. The utility of the method was also demonstrated in a first synthesis of bis-indoles from styrenes.