Mn(OAc)3-Mediated One-Pot Condensation-Oxidative Annulation of 2-Alkynylanilines and 1,3-Ketoesters: Synthesis of 2-Substituted Quinolines.

A general protocol for oxidative annulation was developed for the preparation of 2-methyl-3,4-diacylquinolines directly from 2-alkynylanilines and 1,3-ketoesters. The reactions were mediated by Mn(OAc)3 in acetic acid at room temperature, which led to the desired quinoline products in one-pot in low to good overall yields on a wide range of substrates. The current method was convenient to conduct and proceeded under mild conditions in short reaction times.