Pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-4-one and Pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-6-one

The parent pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-4-one and pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-6-one ring systems were made by pyrolysis of appropriate acrylates. In the first case, the cyclisation was effected by flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) at 950 degrees C, in the second case a cyclisation-dehydrogenation was carried Out in one step by FVP over a tungsten trioxide catalyst at 525 degrees C.