Rh-Catalyzed Sequential Oxidative C-H and N-N Bond Activation: Conversion of Azines into Isoquinolines with Air at Room Temperature

A rhodium-catalyzed sequential oxidative C-H annulation reaction between ketazines and internal alkynes has been developed via C-H and N-N bond activation with air as an external oxidant, which led to an efficient approach toward isoquinolines with high atom efficiency at rt. Utilizing the distinctive reactivity of this catalysis, both N-atoms of the azines could be efficiently incorporated to the desired isoquinolines under very robust and mild reaction conditions.