Synthesis of 2,4-unsubstituted quinoline-3-carboxylic acid ethyl esters from arylmethyl azides via a domino process

A convenient synthesis of 2,4-unsubstituted quinoline-3-carboxylic acid ethyl esters via a domino process is described. The synthesis employs arylmethyl azides as the precursor which undergoes an acid-promoted rearrangement to give an N-aryl iminium ion. Following the addition with ethyl 3-ethoxyacrylate, intramolecular electrophilic aromatic substitution, elimination and subsequent oxidation, the quinoline products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields.