Synthesis of Quinolinequinone Derivatives and related Carbocyclic Compounds

Palladium-catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig aminations of various quinolinequinone derivatives give excellent yields of novel 6-arylamino derivatives of the disubstituted quinolinequinones and 3-arylamino derivatives of the corresponding naphthoquinones. The precursor quinolinequinones are prepared in a three-step sequence from 8-hydroxyquinoline. The transition-metal catalyzed arylations of 6,7-dibromo-5,8-quinolinequinone, 6,7-chloro-5,8-quinolinequinone and 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone are reported for the first time and offer fast and easy access to their derivatives.