Cu-Catalyzed tandemN-arylation of phthalhydrazides with cyclic iodoniums to yield dihydrobenzo[c]cinnolines

Dihydrocinnolines have significant pharmacological properties. Herein, we investigate a Cu-catalyzed tandemN-arylation reaction of phthalhydrazides with cyclic iodonium salts to construct dihydrobenzo[c]cinnoline derivatives. Various iodonium salts, such as symmetrical, unsymmetrical, aryl-aryl, and aryl-heteroaryl ones, could react with phthalhydrazides smoothly and give the title products in moderate to high yields. Moreover, the -NH(2)group, which has been diarylated by cyclic iodonium salts to form carbazoles in previous reports, is also well tolerated in this work.