Copper-Catalyzed Regioselective Cascade Alkylation and Cyclocondensation of Quinoline N-Oxides with Diazo Esters: Direct Access to Conjugated π-Systems.

An inexpensive copper-catalyzed cascade regioselective alkylation, followed by cyclocondensation of quinoline N-oxides with α-diazo esters has been achieved successfully to provide heteroarene-containing conjugated π-systems. The developed method is simple, straightforward, and economical with a broad range of substrate scope. The dual role of copper catalyst in the C-H bond functionalization and in Lewis acid-promoted cyclization was explored.