Synthesis of 2-substituted quinoline derivatives using [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2-ferrocene thioamide catalytic system via acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling

Abstract

The substituted quinolines were synthesized via acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling (ADC) of 2-aminobenzyl alcohol with ketones/secondary alcohols, which was accomplished using the in situ catalytic activity of [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and ferrocene thioamide (Fc-TA) ligands. The catalysis was extended to aromatic and heterocyclic ketones and secondary alcohols, with unsubstituted and chloro‑substituted 2-aminobenzyl alcohols. The Fc-TA ligands (L1-L3) were synthesized, and characterized using spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, UV–Vis, NMR and HRMS. The influence of ligands on the catalysis was studied. Overall, the synthesis of quinolines was accomplished with good to moderate yields, via both mono and double dehydrogenation reactions along with hydrogen and water as only by-products.