An efficient route from coumarins to highly functionalized N-phenyl-2-quinolinones via Buchwald–Hartwig amination

Multiple substituted N-phenyl-2-quinolinones were obtained in a convenient four-step route from a variety of commercially available coumarins, utilizing customised Buchwald–Hartwig amination protocols for the key reaction. Whereas simple aminolysis of coumarins is limited to non-electron-deficient, sterically unhindered derivatives of aniline under harsh conditions, the present method allows for conversions with multiple substituted aromatic amines, as demonstrated by the example of chlorinated aminosalicylates.