The directed lithiation route to 2-amino-3-alkylquinones:: Highly regioselective introduction of electrophiles at the C-7 position of 2(1H)-Quinolinones

An ortho-directed lithiation strategy starting from 2-amino-1,4-dimethoxybenzene derivatives allowed the efficient preparation of 2-amino-3-alkylbenzoquinone derivatives. This method was also successful in the case of 6-pivaloylamino-4-methyl-5,8-dimethoxycarbostyril derivatives, in spite of the fact that two other modes of lithiation are possible, and allowed the preparation of derivatives containing alkyl chains or functional groups at the highly hindered C-7 position. A reaction starting from 4-methyl-5,8-dimethoxy-2-pivaloyloxyquinoline was regioselectively directed to the C-4 methyl group.