Palladium/Silver Synergistic Catalysis in Direct Aerobic Carbonylation of C(sp2)-H Bonds Using DMF as a Carbon Source: Synthesis of Pyrido-Fused Quinazolinones and Phenanthridinones

An unprecedented Pd/Ag synergistic catalysis in the direct carbonylation of C(sp(2))-H bonds utilizing DMF as the carbon source under oxygen is described and demonstrated in the synthesis of pyrido-fused quinazolinone and phenanthridinone scaffolds. Control experiments indicated that the C of the carbonyl group is derived from the methyl group of DMF and O originates from oxygen as in the case of Ge's recent work. This transformation offers an alternative avenue for CO-free carbonylations.