Ytterbium(III) triflate catalyzed domino reaction of arylamines and styrene oxides: Synthesis of 2-benzyl-3-arylquinoline derivatives

An efficient and straightforward method for the synthesis of 2-benzyl-3-arylquinoline derivatives is reported involving the domino reaction of substituted arylamines and styrene oxides in the presence of 10 mol% ytterbium(III) triflate in acetonitrile at 80 °C. Additionally, the reaction of aliphatic epoxides with p-anisidine provided 2,3-dialkylquinoline derivatives under identical reaction conditions. Important features of the protocol are ease of handling, broad substrate scope, good yields, and the formation of two C N and two C C bonds.