The first synthesis of 2-amino-1,4-dihydroquinolines

A versatile strategy is described for the synthesis of new 2-amino-1,4-dihydroquinolines. It involved a Knoevenagel condensation of N-protected-2-amino-5-bromobenzaldehyde with ethylcyanoacetate, followed by a cyclization and protection of the NH group to afford the key intermediates 7 or 19. Then various 1,4 addition reactions have been performed to introduce substituents on the upper part of the 2-amino-1,4-dihydroquinolines.