Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C-H and C-C functionalization of 1-[2-(arylamino)aryl]ethanones leading to acridone derivatives.

Efficient copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C-H and C-C functionalization of 1-[2-(arylamino)aryl]ethanones leading to acridones has been developed. The procedure involves cleavage of aromatic C-H and acetyl C-C bonds with intramolecular formation of a diarylketone bond. The protocol uses inexpensive Cu(O2CCF3)2 as catalyst, pyridine as additive, and economical and environmentally friendly oxygen as the oxidant, and the corresponding acridones with various functional groups were obtained in moderate to good yields.