Synthesis of (2-Aminophenyl)(naphthalen-2-yl)methanones via Intramolecular Rearrangement of (E)-3-Styrylquinolin-4(1H)-ones under Irradiation with 365 nm UV Light

Abstract

A highly efficient and environmentally friendly synthesis of (2-aminophenyl)(naphthalen-2-yl)methanones was developed. The (2-aminophenyl)(naphthalen-2-yl)methanone derivatives were obtained in high yields (up to 96%) by the irradiation of (E)-3-styrylquinolin-4(1H)-ones in EtOH–H2O (7:1) with UV light (365 nm) at room temperature under Ar atmosphere. The demonstrated photoinduced intramolecular rearrangement has advantages over other transition-metal-catalyzed reactions, e.g. no requirement of additives, green solvent, broad substrate scope, and high atom efficiency.