Synthesis of Cyclic Amidines from Quinolines by a Borane-Catalyzed Dearomatization Strategy

Described herein is the development of a new synthetic route to cyclic amidines from quinolines. The borane-catalyzed 1,4-hydrosilylation of quinoline was utilized for the dearomatization of the quinolines. The dearomatized enamine intermediate was subsequently reacted with a broad range of organic azides to produce the corresponding cyclic amidines (3,4-dihydroquinolinimines) via a [3 + 2] cycloaddition pathway. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested that the hydride shift was involved during the cycloaddition.