A series of 2-aminoquinolines were afforded by Co(acac)2 catalyzed isocyanide insertion with 2-vinylanilines under an O2 atmosphere. This reaction not only uses low toxicity Co(acac)2 as the catalyst and oxygen as the oxidant, but also allows the construction of new C(sp2)–C(sp2) and C(sp2)–N bonds in a single-step.
