Visible light photoredox catalysis with N-hydroxyphthalimide for [4+2] cyclization between N-methylanilines and maleimides

An efficient [4+2] cyclization of N-methylanilines with maleimides to afford tetrahydroquinolines using N-hydroxyphthalimide as a metal-free and cheap organophotoredox catalyst is reported. The protocol involves C(sp3)H activation of N-methylanilines for the formation of α-amino radical without an oxidant at room temperature. The present method describes an easy preparation of tricyclic heterocycles in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions.