Reactive 2-quinolones dearomatized by steric repulsion between 1-methyl and 8-substituted groups

Usual 1-methyl-2-quinolone (MeQone) derivatives are not reactive because of aromatic property in the heterocyclic ring. On the other hand, 8-substituted MeQones have been proved to be highly reactive, which is caused by steric repulsion between the 1-methyl and the 8-substituted groups. When 1-methyl-3,6,8-trinitro-2-quinolone was treated with potassium (or trimethylsilyl) cyanide, cyanation proceeded at the 4-position regioselectively as a result of cine-substitution. This reaction is initiated with addition of cyanide species, and the cyanoquinolone is formed by the protonation of the resultant anionic intermediate followed by elimination of nitrous acid. The high reactivity was maintained even when one of the nitro groups on the benzene moiety was replaced by a methyl group, which afforded corresponding cine-substituted products upon treatment with potassium cyanide.