Coproduct Promoted Povarov Reaction: Synthesis of Substituted Quinolines from Methyl Ketones, Arylamines, and α-Ketoesters.

A highly efficient I2-catalyzed Povarov-type reaction of methyl ketones, arylamines, and α-ketoesters is developed. This reaction utilizes a catalytic amount of HI coproduct as a promoter for the synthesis of substituted quinolones. This simple procedure represents an interesting new form of reactivity for the Povarov reaction with good functional group compatibility.