Efficient one-pot synthesis of new 1-amino substituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-4-carboxylate esters via copper-free Sonogashira coupling reactions.

The reactions of several 2-chloroquinoline-3-carboxylate esters with propargyl alcohol and a secondary amine in the presence of palladium catalyst leads to the formation of new alkyl 1-amino substituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-4-carboxylate derivatives. This one-pot process, carried out in the absence of any copper salt, provides an efficient method for the synthesis of functionalized pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines in good-to-high yields.