Hydroxymethylation of quinolines via iron promoted oxidative C-H functionalization: synthesis of arsindoline-A and its derivatives.

Herein, we report a mild and efficient hydroxymethylation of quinolines via an iron promoted cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction under external acid free conditions. Various hydroxyalkyl substituted quinolines were achieved in excellent yields with well tolerated functional groups. Importantly, a few of the hydroxylmethylated quinolines were further transformed into respective aldehydes, and were successfully utilized for the synthesis of alkaloid arsindoline-A and its derivatives.