Palladium-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of benzo[b][1,6]naphthyridines via Sonogashira coupling and annulation reactions from 2-chloroquinoline-3-carbonitriles

Palladium-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted benzo[b][1,6]naphthyridines and [1,6]naphthyridines has been described from easily accessible precursors, 2-chloroquinoline-3-carbonitriles and 2-chloropyrido-3-carbonitrile via sequential additions of palladium-catalyst for Sonogashira-coupling and the following annulations in good to excellent yields. A plausible mechanism for annulation is discussed.