Rhodium(II)-catalyzed synthesis of 2-aminoquinoline derivatives from 2-quinolones and N -sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles.

Herein, we disclose a rhodium(II) catalyzed efficient and convenient method for the synthesis of 2-aminoquinoline derivatives from 2-quinolones and N -sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles. The reaction provides rapid access to a series of 2-aminoquinolines with moderate to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds via quinolone-hydroxyquinoline tautomerization/O-H insertion to a rhodium(II)-aza vinyl carbene intermediate generated by denitrogenation of triazole followed by rearrangement to deliver the desired product. Furthermore, we demonstrated the iodine-mediated dealkylation of a 2-aminoquinoline derivative.