Co(acac)₂/O₂-Mediated Oxidative Isocyanide Insertion with 2-Aryl Anilines: Efficient Synthesis of 6-Amino Phenanthridine Derivatives

Abstract

A novel and efficient protocol for the creation of 6-amino phenanthridine derivatives by Co(acac)2-catalyzed isocyanide insertion with 2-aryl anilines under an O2 atmosphere via homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) type C-H functionalization has been developed. This reaction not only proceeds smoothly utilizing O2 as the oxidant but also provides a new approach to construct phenanthridine derivatives utilizing readily available 2-aryl anilines with isocyanides instead of 2-isocyanobiaryls with different radical precursors.