Silver-catalyzed cascade reaction of o-aminoaryl compounds with alkynes: an aniline mediated synthesis of 2-substituted quinolines

An efficient silver-catalyzed, aniline mediated cascade hydroamination/cycloaddition of o-aminoaryl compounds including o-aminoaryl aldehydes, o-aminoaryl ketones with alkynes for the synthesis of 2- or 2,4-substituted quinolines is reported. The reactions proceed with high regioselectivity to afford mono- or disubstituted quinoline derivatives in good to high yields using AgOTf as the catalyst in the air.