Rhodium-Mediated Dipolar Cycloaddition of Diazoquinolinediones

As an entry to furoquinoline structures of natural origin, the rhodium-mediated dipolar cycloaddition of diazoquinolinediones with alkenes and alkynes has been examined. Because of the unsymmetrical nature of the diazo compounds, both linear and angular furoquinoline products are possible. For the most part, a mixture of regioisomers is generated in moderate to good yields, though in a few cases dominant products are obtained in high yields. The products can be further converted to naturally occurring alkaloids such as isodictamnine. A novel observation in this work is that catalytic quantities of acid enhance the yield and regiochemical control in the cycloaddition.