Synthesis of 1,2‐Dihydrocyclobuta[b]quinoline Derivatives from Isocyanophenyl‐Substituted Methylenecyclopropanes

Abstract A new protocol to synthesize 1,2‐dihydrocyclobuta[b]quinoline derivatives from isocyanophenyl‐substituted methylenecyclopropanes via a formal insertion of isocyanide carbon into a C−C bond has been developed. The reaction proceeds smoothly in the presence of silver carbonate (5 mol%) upon heating in a highly atom economic manner and exhibits broad substrate scope, giving the desired products in moderate to excellent yields. Furthermore, several transformations of the obtained products have been also demonstrated. magnified image