Ytterbium Triflate-Catalyzed Intramolecular Arylative Ring Opening of Arylaminomethyl-Substituted Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes: Access to Tetrahydroquinolines

Abstract

The treatment of arylaminomethyl-substituted donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with a catalytic amount of Yb(OTf)₃ provides expedient access to tetrahydroquinoline derivatives. The transformation proceeds through an intramolecular S_N2-type attack of the aminomethyl-containing aryl ring on the cyclopropane ring, leading to the formation of the products as single diastereomers.