Palladium-Catalyzed, Norbornene-Mediated, ortho-Amination ipso-Amidation: Sequential C-N Bond Formation.

A palladium-catalyzed, norbornene-mediated ortho- and ipso-C-N bond-forming Catellani reaction is reported. This reaction proceeds through a sequential intermolecular amination followed by intramolecular cyclization of a tethered amide. The products, ortho-aminated dihydroquinolinones, were generated in moderate to good yields and are present in bioactive molecules. This work highlights the challenge of competing intra- vs intermolecular palladium-catalyzed processes.