Novel Strategy for Synthesis of Substituted Benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinolines

An efficient method for the synthesis of benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinolines under transition-metal-free conditions has been developed through a cascade reaction involving sequential aromatic nucleophilic substitution and intramolecular Knoevenagel condensation reactions. This method is applicable for the synthesis of a wide range of benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinoline derivatives from readily available 2-fluoroarylaldehyde and benzimidazole substrates.