Photoinduced Minisci-type reaction for selective C-H bond carbamoylation of acridines without external oxidant.

Herein, a photoinduced Minisci-type reaction for selective C-H bond carbamoylation of acridines without external oxidant and photocatalyst is described. In this reaction, 4-substituted 1,4-dihydropyridines act as radical precursors, and PhCO2H and K2CO3 facilitate the activation of acridines and dehydroaromatization. This method exhibits a good functional group tolerance and broad substrate scopes for direct synthesis of 9-carbamoyl- and acyl-substituted acridine derivatives in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. Its synthetic application is demonstrated by a late-stage installation of acridine into amino acids and active pharmaceutical molecules.