# Copper-catalyzed domino cyclization of anilines and cyclobutanone oxime: a scalable and versatile route to spirotetrahydroquinoline derivatives

## TL;DR

This paper presents a copper-catalyzed method to efficiently create tetrahydroquinoline compounds, which are important in drug development.

## Contribution

A scalable and versatile copper-catalyzed domino reaction for synthesizing spirotetrahydroquinoline derivatives is introduced.

## Key findings

- The method achieves high yields of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives under mild conditions.
- Mechanistic studies reveal a nucleophilic attack and cyclization pathway in the reaction.
- The approach allows for the synthesis of bioactive scaffolds with varying substituents.

## Abstract

In this study, we report the copper-catalyzed synthesis of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives via a domino reaction of aniline with cyclobutanone oxime. This method demonstrates a selective approach for generating bioactive tetrahydroquinoline scaffolds, which have broad applications in pharmaceutical chemistry. The reaction conditions were optimized for the effective formation of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives with varying substituents, showing high yields under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies suggest a catalytic cycle involving nucleophilic attack by the aniline on the cyclobutanone oxime, followed by cyclization to form the desired product.