Dimerization of ethynylaniline to a quinoline derivative using a ruthenium/gold heterobimetallic catalyst

Dimerization of 2-ethynylaniline in the presence of the Ru/Au complexes CpRu(PPh3)Cl(mu-dppm)AuCl or CpRu( PPh3)I(mu-dppm)AuI results in formation of a quinoline derivative. Monometallic model compounds for the Ru and Au centers did not catalyze the dimerization reaction. This transformation proceeds in higher yield in the absence of solvent.