Nickel-Catalyzed Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles Using Molecular Oxygen

Herein, an efficient and selective nickel-catalyzed dehydrogenation of five- and six-membered N-heterocycles is presented. The transformation occurs in the presence of alkyl, alkoxy, chloro, free hydroxyl and primary amine, internal and terminal olefin, trifluoromethyl, and ester functional groups. Synthesis of an important ligand and the antimalarial drug quinine is demonstrated. Mechanistic studies revealed that the cyclic imine serves as the key intermediate for this stepwise transformation.