FeCl3·6H2O-catalyzed intramolecular allylic amination: synthesis of substituted dihydroquinolines and quinolines.

A facile and efficient method to synthesize 2- or 4-substituted 1,2-dihydroquinolines and quinolines catalyzed by FeCl(3)·6H(2)O (2 mol %) was described. The iron-catalyzed intramolecular allylic amination of 2-aminophenyl-1-en-3-ols proceeded smoothly to afford 13 1,2-dihydroquinoline and 8 quinoline derivatives under mild reaction conditions with good to excellent yields (up to 96%).