Synthesis of furo[2,3-c]quinolinones via intramolecular C(3)–H arylation of furan core under Pd/NHC-catalysis

An efficient procedure for the preparation of furo[2,3-c]-quinolin-4(5H)-ones from 2-furoic acid N-(o-bromoaryl)- amides via selective intramolecular C(3)–H arylation of the furan nucleus involves the catalysis by a Pd/NHC system generated in situ from Pd(OAc)₂ and readily available IPr^SPh HCl proligand. A series of novel furo[2,3-c]quinolin-4(5H)-ones were prepared in 65–80% isolated yields.