An efficient oxidation of 2-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-quinolones employing ferric chloride hexahydrate–methanol: synthesis of naturally occurring 4-alkoxy-2-arylquinolines

A simple, inexpensive and efficient oxidation of 2-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-quinolones has been carried out by employing FeCl3·6H2O–methanol under mild conditions. This method has been investigated for the synthesis of an endothelin receptor antagonist, benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridine core structure.