Substrate Directed C-H Activation for the Synthesis of Benzo[c]cinnolines through a Sequential C-C and C-N Bond Formation.

A wide range of benzo[c]cinnolines are prepared through a sequential C-C and C-N bond formation by means of an oxidative C-H functionalization. The reaction proceeds via the C-arylation of 1-arylhydrazine-1,2-dicarboxylate with aryl iodide using Pd(OAc)2/AgOAc followed by an oxidative N-arylation in the presence of PhI/oxone in trifluoroacetic acid. It is entirely a new strategy to generate the benzo[c]cinnoline libraries with a diverse substitution pattern.