Direct synthesis of 8-aryl tetrahydroquinolines via pd-catalyzed ortho-arylation of aryl ureas in water

An efficient protocol for the direct synthesis of 8-arylated tetrahydroquinolines via Pd-catalyzed ortho-arylation of aryl ureas with aryl iodides was developed. The reaction proceeded smoothly in water under ligand-free and surfactant-free conditions, providing the desired products in high yields with remarkable functional group tolerance.