C(sp)-H Acylation of Benzo[h]quinolines at Room Temperature via Aldehyde Autoxidation and Palladium Catalysis Cooperation.

Herein, we report Pd-catalyzed C(sp)-H acylation using aldehyde as acyl source and O as the green oxidant at room temperature. A selective association of acyl radical formed in-situ during aldehyde autoxidation with Pd-catalysis is the key to the process. The reaction afforded products in good yields (up to 82 %) and it is scalable. The proposed Pd/Pd-catalytic cycle is supported by a series of control studies and DFT calculations.