Synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-4(1H)-quinolones and the corresponding 4(1H)-quinolones via low-temperature fries rearrangement of N-arylazetidin-2-ones

N-Arylazetidin-2-ones of the general form 1, which are readily prepared by Goldberg–Buchwald-type copper-catalyzed coupling of N-unsubstituted azetidin-2-ones with the relevant aryl halide or using Mitsunobu cyclization processes, undergo smooth Fries-rearrangement in triflic acid at 0–18°C to give the isomeric 2,3-dihydro-4(1H)-quinolones (2). Dehydrogenation of the latter compounds using 10% Pd on C in 1.0 M aqueous sodium hydroxide/propan-2-ol mixtures at ca. 82°C provides the corresponding 4(1H)-quinolones (3).