Synthesis of Quinolines via the Metal-free Visible-Light-Mediated Radical Azidation of Cyclopropenes

We report the synthesis of quinolines using cyclopropenes and an azidobenziodazolone (ABZ) hypervalent iodine reagent as an azide radical source under visible-light irradiation. Multisubstituted quinoline products were obtained in 34–81% yield. The reaction was most efficient for 3-trifluoromethylcyclopropenes, affording valuable 4-trifluoromethylquinolines. The transformation probably proceeds through the cyclization of an iminyl radical formed by the addition of the azide radical on the cyclopropene double bond, followed by ring-opening and fragmentation.