A simple and clean procedure for the synthesis of polyhydroacridine and quinoline derivatives: reaction of Schiff base with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in aqueous medium

A clean and simple synthesis of benzo[c]acridine, benzo[a]acridine, pyrido[2,3-c]acridine and benzo[f]quinoline derivatives was accomplished in good to excellent yields via the reaction of Schiff base with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in aqueous medium catalyzed by TEBA. The structures were characterized by 1H NMR, IR and elemental analysis, and confirmed by X-ray diffraction study.