Synthesis of regiospecifically substituted quinolines from anilines

A protocol for the synthesis of quinolines substituted on both pyridine and benzo-fused rings is reported. The method is based on the formylation of a substituted N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)aniline followed by direct cyclisation and aromatisation of the intermediate product obtained by condensation of the formed N-Boc o-aminobenzaldehyde with an enolisable carbonyl compound. Yields up to 88% have been obtained.