Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Regioselective Arylation of Naphthylamides with Aryl Iodides Utilizing a Quinolinamide Bidentate System

A palladium­(II)-catalyzed quinolinamide-directed 8-arylation of 1-naphthylamides with aryl iodides is reported. The bidentate directing group (quinolinamide) proved to be crucial for a highly regioselective transformation. In addition, the amide directing group can be easily hydrolyzed under basic conditions to offer a range of 8-aryl-1-naphthylamine derivatives. The theoretical calculations suggest that the C–H arylation reaction proceeds through a sequential C–H activation/oxidative addition pathway.