Copper-Mediated Decarboxylative Coupling of Benzamides with ortho-Nitrobenzoic Acids by Directed C-H Cleavage

A copper-mediated decarboxylative coupling of benzamides with ortho-nitrobenzoic acids by 8-aminoquinoline-directed C-H cleavage has been developed. This reaction proceeds smoothly with only a copper salt to produce the corresponding biaryl compounds in good yields. The products can be easily transformed into various nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds. Moreover, the combination of copper and a suitable base promotes a decarboxylative C-H arylation and cyclization sequence to deliver phenanthridinone derivatives in one pot.