4-Aryl-2-quinolones from 3,3-diarylacrylamides through intramolecular copper-catalyzed C-H functionalization/C-N bond formation.

Free NH 3,3-diarylacrylamides are cyclized to substituted 2-quinolones in the presence of CuI, PPh(3), and KO-t-Bu in o-xylene at 100 °C. The reaction proceeds through a C-H functionalization/C-N bond formation process. With unsymmetrical 3,3-diarylacrylamides, high selectivity is observed using substrates where the aromatic ring trans to the amide group bears o-methyl, -chloro, or -bromo substituents.