Rh(II)/Pd(0) Dual Catalysis: Interception of Ammonium Ylide with Allyl Palladium to Construct 2,2-Disubstituted Tetrahydroquinoline Derivatives

New synthetic methods to construct 2,2-disubstituted tetrahydroquinoline derivatives are of significant value in pharmaceutical chemistry. Herein, a Rh(II)/Pd(0) dual-catalyzed diazo α-aminoallylation reaction has been developed between allylpalladium(II) and ammonium ylides derived from the Rh2(OAc)4-mediated intramolecular N-H bond insertion reaction of diazo compounds, affording various 2,2-disubstituted tetrahydroquinoline derivatives in good yields up to 93% with high chemoselectivities under mild reaction conditions. A substrate scope investigation reveals broad ester substituent tolerance, and control experiments provide the basis for a proposed reaction mechanism.