Synthesis of substituted quinolines by the electrophilic cyclization of n-(2-alkynyl)anilines

A wide variety of substituted quinolines are readily synthesized under mild reaction conditions by the 6-endo-dig electrophilic cyclization of N-(2-alkynyl)anilines by ICl, I2, Br2, PhSeBr, and p-O2NC6H4SCl. The reaction affords 3-halogen-, selenium- and sulfur-containing quinolines in moderate to good yields in the presence of various functional groups. Analogous quinolines bearing a hydrogen in the 3-position have been synthesized by the Hg(OTf)2-catalyzed ring closure of these same alkynylanilines.