Iridium-catalyzed annulation between 1,2-diarylethanone and 3-aminopropanol toward site-specific 2,3-diaryl pyridines

An iridium-catalyzed annulation between 1,2-diarylethanone and 3-aminopropanol was developed, leading to site specific 2,3-diarylpyridines in moderate yields. 3-Aminopropanol served as both a four-atom component and solvent during this procedure, releasing water as a clean by-product. The reaction may proceed with sequential imine formation, alcohol oxidation and intramolecular cyclization by Knoevenagel reaction. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.