Silver-catalyzed radical tandem cyclization for the synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones.

A silver-catalyzed tandem decarboxylative radical addition/cyclization of N-arylcinnamamides with aliphatic carboxylic acids is reported. This method affords a novel and straightforward route to various 3,4-disubstituted dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones in aqueous solution.