An efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of functionalized quinolines and tetrahydronaphthyridines has been developed. The photo-Fries rearrangement of p-substituted anilides afforded differently substituted o-amino ketones that reacted in situ with acetylenic Michael acceptors such as dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) to give 6,4-disubstituted quinoline 2,3-dicarboxylates. Starting from anilides derived from β-alanine, a naphthyridine nucleus can also be assembled.
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