First construction of 12H-thiochromeno[2,3-b]quinolines and 5H-benzo[7,8]thiocino-[2,3-b]quinolines via intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction of Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts

An acid-promoted intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction of the Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts 3 derived from 2-arylthioquinolin-3-carbaldehydes 2 was investigated. Interestingly, promoted by sulfuric acid, the substrates with electron-donating groups on the aromatic ring gave six-membered fused-ring 12H-thiochromeno[2,3-b]quinolines 4 with good yields, while those with electron-withdrawing groups afforded eight-membered fused-ring 5H-benzo[7,8]thiocino[2,3-b]quinolines 5 in moderate yields. Using triflic acid instead of sulfuric acid, only products 4 could be obtained under the similar condition.