Oxidative Radical Addition/Cyclization Cascade for the Construction of Carbonyl-Containing Quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-Diones

Oxidative radical addition/cyclization cascade of o-cyanoarylacrylamides with alpha-keto acids as well as aldehydes is reported. This transformation exhibits a wide substrate scope and significant functional group tolerance and provides a convenient and highly efficient access to carbonyl containing quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones. A possible mechanism for the transformation is proposed.