An efficient synthesis of quinoxalines from 2-nitroanilines and biomass-derived vicinal diols is demonstrated via a hydrogen transfer strategy.

By employing a commercially available Ru3(CO)12/Xantphos/t-BuOK catalyst system, a novel and straightforward ruthenium-catalyzed dehydrogenative synthesis of 2-arylquinazolines has been demonstrated. A series of 2-aminoaryl methanols were efficiently converted in combination with different types of benzonitriles into various desired products in moderate to good yields upon isolation. The synthetic protocol proceeds with the advantages of operational simplicity, high atom efficiency, broad substrate scope, and no need for the use of less environmentally benign halogenated reagents, offering an important basis for accessing 2-arylquinazolines.

A new and straightforward method for convenient synthesis of quinolines via a ruthenium‐catalyzed hydrogen‐transfer strategy has been demonstrated. By employing a commercially available ruthenium catalyst system, different α‐2‐nitroaryl alcohols were efficiently converted in combination with a variety of alcohols into various substituted products in reasonable to good yields upon isolation. The synthetic protocol is operationally simple with a broad substrate scope, and there is no need for the use of specialized reducing agents, making it a practical approach for versatile preparation of various quinoline derivatives.

Through a ruthenium-catalyzed selective hydrogen transfer coupling reaction, a novel straightforward synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyridines from o-aminopyridyl methanols and alcohols has been developed. The synthetic protocol proceeds in an atom- and step-economic fashion together with the advantages of operational simplicity, broad substrate scope, production of water as the only byproduct, and no need for external reducing reagents such as high pressure H2 gas, offering a highly practical approach for accessing this type of structurally unique products.