Tetrabutylammonium Pyridin-2-olate: A New Reagent for the Efficient Synthesis of N-Aryl Pyridin-2-ones

A new reagent, tetrabutylammonium pyridin-2-olate, was prepared and its application to the efficient synthesis of N-aryl pyridine-2-ones was demonstrated using CuI-catalyzed coupling reactions with aryl iodides. This coupling reaction is mild, high-yielding, and remarkably chemoselective (N- vs. O-arylation). It is also compatible with substrates containing labile functional groups.