Synthesis of aza-fused polycyclic quinolines through copper-catalyzed cascade reactions.

A new and efficient method for the synthesis of aza-fused polycyclic quinolines (e.g., benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinolines) is described. This protocol includes an intermolecular condensation followed by a copper-catalyzed intramolecular C-N coupling reaction. The method is applied to a wide range of 2-iodo, 2-bromo, and 2-chloro aryl aldehyde substrates to yield the aza-fused polycyclic quinolines in good yields.