Ambient Temperature Dehydrogenative C(Ar)-H Carbonylative Lactamization of 2-Arylanilines Using DMF as C1-Source.

The direct dehydrogenative C-H cleaving carbonylative lactamization of 2-arylanilines promoted by visible light and potassium bases is reported. Solvent DMF acts as the sole carbonyl source in the absence of an oxidant. The irreversible release of hydrogen gas drags this reaction to the stable phenanthridinone products. This work provides a direct conversion of a broad range of 2-arylanilines to various phenanthridinones. This method could be applied in the synthesis of bioactive molecules and organic optoelectronic materials.