An efficient synthesis of new C-2 aryl substituted quinolines based on three component imino Diels-Alder reaction.

New effective approach to the synthesis of a wide variety of C-2 nitro or aminophenyl substituted quinolines was reported using diverse intermediate 4-(2-oxopyrrolinidyl-1)-tetrahydroquinolines that were prepared by a three component imino Diels-Alder reaction was reported. The key aromatisation process occurs cleanly with the loss of the 2-oxopyrrolinidyl-1 fragment.