Copper-catalyzed one-pot domino reactions via C-H bond activation: synthesis of 3-aroylquinolines from 2-aminobenzylalcohols and propiophenones under metal-organic framework catalysis.

A Cu2(OBA)2(BPY) metal-organic framework was utilized as a productive heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 3-aroylquinolines via one-pot domino reactions of 2-aminobenzylalcohols with propiophenones. This Cu-MOF was considerably more active towards the one-pot domino reaction than a series of transition metal salts, as well as nano oxide and MOF-based catalysts. The MOF-based catalyst was reusable without a significant decline in catalytic efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, the transformation of 2-aminobenzylalcohols to 3-aroylquinolines was not previously reported in the literature, and this protocol would be complementary to previous strategies for the synthesis of these valuable heterocycles.