Via a base-catalyzed hydrogen-transfer coupling reaction, a straightforward synthesis of 2-arylquinoxalines from readily available 2-nitroanilines with only an equimolar amount of monoalcohols has been developed. The synthetic protocol proceeds in a step- and atom-economic fashion together with the advantages of operational simplicity, broad substrate scope, water as the only byproduct, and no need for noble transition-metal catalysts, external reducing agents, or less environmentally benign halogenated reagents, offers a highly practical approach to access 2-arylquinoxalines.

A new and straightforward method for convenient synthesis of quinolines via a ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogen-transfer strategy has been demonstrated. By employing a commercially available ruthenium catalyst system, different α-2-nitroaryl alcohols were efficiently converted in combination with a variety of alcohols into various substituted products in reasonable to good yields upon isolation. The synthetic protocol is operationally simple with a broad substrate scope, and there is no need for the use of specialized reducing agents, making it a practical approach for versatile preparation of various quinoline derivatives.

The N-alkylation of 2-aminobenzonitriles with pyridyl methanols as the alkylating reagents has been demonstrated by using an easily available Ru₃(CO)₁₂/Binap/tBuOK [Binap=2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl] catalyst system. The synthetic protocol can be used to synthesize various 2-N-pyridylmethyl benzonitriles in moderate to good isolated yields. Through an exploration of its synthetic utility, we have demonstrated a novel straightforward synthesis of biologically interesting 2,3-diaryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[e][1,4]diazepin-5-ones, which provides an important basis for the discovery of new bioactive compounds.