Cycloisomerization of N-[2-(2-alkyn-1-yl)phenyl]carbodiimides 1 catalysed by Rh(dppp)2Cl under heating conditions afforded 3-(cis-alken-1-yl)-2-(substituted amino)quinolines in up to 87% yield with high cis-selectivity. Scope, limitations, a proposed mechanism for these reactions, and a one-pot synthesis of their trans-isomers from 1 with iodine-promoted olefin isomerization are described.
![Graphical abstract: Rhodium(i)-catalysed “ene-type” cycloisomerization of N-[2-(2-alkyn-1-yl)phenyl]carbodiimides leading to 3-(cis-alken-1-yl)-2-aminoquinolines](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C4RA11846D.jpg)
