Synthesis of 2-trifluoromethyl-1(substituted aryl)-4(1H)-quinolones using trifluoroacetamidoyl chlorides

A simple two-step procedure for the preparation of 2-trifluoromethyl-1(substituted aryl)-4(1H)-quinolones utilizing electrophilic trifluoroacetamidoyl chlorides as the starting materials is described. The cyclization of trifluoromethyl enaminone intermediates with potassium carbonate in hot dimethylformamide produce the trifluoromethylated 4(1H)-quinolones in good to excellent yields.