Heterobicyclic Core Retained Hydroarylations through C-H Activation: Synthesis of Epibatidine Analogues

The heterobicyclic core retained hydroarylation of oxa/azabenzonorbornadienes with quinoline N-oxides has been achieved under rhodium catalysis, giving quinoline N-oxide substituted heterobicyclic structures with excellent regioselectivity and in good yields. As the first example of the direct introduction of quinoline N-oxides onto heterobicyclic structures, the strained heterobicyclic core was well retained in the reaction. The products could be successfully transformed into a series of useful compounds, including epibatidine analogues.