Formation of cinnoline derivatives by a gold(I)-catalyzed hydroarylation of N-propargyl-N′-arylhydrazines

A study concerning the gold(I)-catalyzed hydroarylation of N-propargyl-N′-arylhydrazinecarboxylic acid methyl esters is described. The use of the gold complex [XPhosAu(NCCH3)SbF6] as the catalyst in refluxing nitromethane allows the generally rapid and efficient synthesis of a range of functionalized 4-exo-methylene-1,2-dihydrocinnolines.