Abstract 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 ...
