Ring-fluorinated isoquinoline and quinoline synthesis:: Intramolecular cyclization of o-cyano- and o-isocyano-β,β-difluorostyrenes

graphic o-Cyano-beta,beta-difluorostyrenes react with organolithiums selectively at the cyano carbon to generate the corresponding sp(2) nitrogen anions, which in turn undergo intramolecular replacement of the vinylic fluorine to afford 3-fluoroisoquinolines. Similarly, the reaction of beta,beta-difluoro-o-isocyanostyrenes with organomagnesiums or -lithiums generates the corresponding sp(2) carbanions on the isocyano carbon. Subsequent cyclization via substitution of the fluorine leads to 3-fluoroquinolines.