Formation of cinnoline derivatives by a gold(I)-catalyzed hydroarylation of N-propargyl-N'-arylhydrazines

Abstract : A study concerning the gold(I)-catalyzed hydroarylation of N-propargyl-N'-arylhydrazinecarboxylic acid methyl esters is described. The use of the gold complex [XPhosAu(NCCH3)SbF6] as the catalyst in refluxing nitromethane allows the generally rapid and efficient synthesis of a range of functionalized 4-exo-methylene-1,2-dihydrocinnolines. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.