Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed C-H Alkenylation of 1,8-Naphthalimide with Cyclic Imide as a Weakly Coordinating Directing Group

Ruthenium-catalyzed direct C-H alkenylation of 1,8-naphthalimide has been explored using cyclic imide as a weak directing group and successfully introduce alkenyl group(s) into 1,8-naphthalimide skeleton at the inactive C2 and/or C7 position(s). The aromatic ring of 1,8-naphthalimide is substituted with electron-withdrawing and -donating groups, and N-alkyl/aryl groups on cyclic imide are compatible in these coupling reactions.

Automated summary

In this study, direct C-H alkenylation of 1,8-naphthalimide using cyclic imide as a weak directing group and ruthenium catalyst was explored. The alkenyl group(s) were successfully introduced into the 1,8-naphthalimide skeleton at the inactive C2 and/or C7 positions. The aromatic ring of 1,8-naphthalimide was substituted with electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups, and N-alkyl/aryl groups on cyclic imide were found compatible in these coupling reactions.