Chlorotrimethylsilane-Mediated Friedländer Synthesis of 2-(α-Chloroalkyl)quinoline Derivatives

Condensation of 2-aminoacetophenone and 2-aminobenzophenone with ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate in the presence of excess chlorotrimethylsilane was shown to give ethyl 2-chloro­methyl-3-quinoline carboxylates in high yields. A similar reaction with 1,3-dichloroacetone and 2-chlorocyclohexanone led to the 3-chloro-2-(chloromethyl)quinolines and 4-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro­acridines, respectively.