Three-component reactions involving quinoline or isoquinoline, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate and β-trifluoroacetyl vinyl ethyl ether

The three-component reactions (TCRs) involving quinoline or isoquinoline, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate and β-trifluoroacetyl vinyl ethyl ether were investigated. The reaction proceeded smoothly under ambient temperature in DMSO to give the 4-trifluoroacetyl substituted benzo[c]quinolizine derivatives in moderate yields. However, under the same reaction condition, isoquinoline afforded the 2-trifluoromethyl substituted 1-oxa-(11H)-benzo[a]dihydroquinolizine or 4-trifluoroacetyl substituted benzo[a]dihydroquinolizine products. The possible reaction pathways were proposed.