N-alkylation of 2-pyridone derivatives via palladium(II)-catalyzed directed alkene hydroamination

A selective N-alkylation reaction of 2-pyridones and related heterocycles via intermolecular alkene hydroamination is reported. The reaction utilizes palladium(II) acetate as a catalyst and employs a bidentate directing group to dictate the regioselectivity for both unactivated terminal and internal alkenes. High functional group tolerance is observed across a widerange of electronically diverse 2pyridones and other aza-heterocycles, including 1-hydroxyisoquinoline, 2-hydroxyquinoline, pyridazinone, pyrimidinone, and pyrazinone. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.