Convenient, two-step synthesis of 2-styrylquinolines: an application of the CAN-catalyzed vinylogous type-II Povarov reaction

A new, experimentally simple, synthesis of 2-styrylquinolines was developed using a two-step sequence based on a CAN-catalyzed three-component type-II vinylogous Povarov reaction from arylamines, cinnamaldehydes, and electron-rich cyclic and noncyclic vinyl ethers. The tetrahydroquinolines thus obtained were subsequently aromatized to styrylquinolines by DDQ-promoted dehydrogenation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.