Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of o-phenylenediamines with 2-aryl/heteroarylethylamines: direct access to construct quinoxalines.

A copper-catalyzed oxidative coupling reaction of o-phenylenediamines with 2-aryl/heteroarylethylamines using molecular oxygen as an oxidant has been developed. This approach provides a practical and direct access to construct quinoxalines in excellent yields at room temperature. The reaction has a broad substrate scope and exhibits excellent functional-group tolerance. This method could be easily scaled up and applied to the synthesis of biologically active molecules bearing a quinoxaline structural scaffold.