Preparation of substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalines and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepines from catalytic Cp∗Ir hydrogen transfer N-heterocyclization of anilino alcohols

The [Cp∗IrCl2]2/K2CO3 catalyzed hydrogen transfer N-heterocyclization on a series of anilino alcohols has been investigated. The catalyst (20% loading) converts anilino alcohols to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalines and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepines in 30–84% isolated yield.