Synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinolin-4(1H)-ones through catalytic metathesis of o-alkynylanilines and aldehydes.

SbF5-MeOH catalytic system efficiently promotes the alkyne-carbonyl metathesis of o-alkynylaniline derivatives and aldehydes to afford 2,3-disubstituted dihydroquinolinones in moderate to high yields with high trans-selectivity.