Palladium-Catalyzed, Norbornene-Mediated, <i>ortho</i>-Amination <i>ipso</i>-Amidation: Sequential C–N Bond Formation

A palladium-catalyzed, norbornene-mediated <i>ortho</i>- and <i>ipso</i>-C–N bond-forming Catellani reaction is reported. This reaction proceeds through a sequential intermolecular amination followed by intramolecular cyclization of a tethered amide. The products, <i>ortho</i>-aminated dihydroquinolinones, were generated in moderate to good yields and are present in bioactive molecules. This work highlights the challenge of competing intra- vs intermolecular palladium-catalyzed processes