Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives

A palladium-catalyzed reductive N-heteroannulation of enamines derived from 2-nitrobenzenamines forming mixtures of 1,2-dihydroquinoxalines and 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-ones is described. The reactions are performed using bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium(0), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane, and 1,10-phenanthroline in DMF under 6 atm of carbon monoxide at 70 °C.