Oxidation of active sp3 C–H bonds initiated consecutive intermolecular/intramolecular cyclization between glycine derivatives and o-vinylphenols: construction of a polycyclic benzofuroquinoline skeleton

Abstract

Consecutive intermolecular/intramolecular cyclization between N-arylglycine derivatives and 2-hydroxylstyrenes was realized through radical cation salt-initiated sp³ C–H bond oxidation. This reaction provided a new route to forge this biologically important polycyclic benzofuroquinoline skeleton in a single synthetic step with good functional group tolerance. The mechanistic study revealed that the oxidation of the active sp³ C–H bond initiated further functionalization of the inert C–H bond and tandem cyclization.