Mild, Efficient and Selective Silver Carbonate Mediated O-Alkylation of 4-Hydroxy-2-quinolones: Synthesis of 2,4-Dialkoxyquinolines

The reaction of 4-hydroxy-2-quinolones with alkyl ­iodides, benzyl bromides and allyl bromides in benzene at room temperature, in the presence of Ag2CO3, afforded 2,4-dialkoxy­quinolines in moderate to excellent yields. The process is highly ­regioselective and constitutes a new and mild one-pot alternative for the preparation of this class of compounds.