A facile Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons route to 2-quinolones

2-Quinolones are prepared from o-aminophenylketones by N-acylation with phosphonoalkanoylchlorides, followed by an intramolecular Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons olefination. The transformation proceeds under mild conditions, is generally applicable, gives good yields and can be performed either in two steps or as a one-pot reaction.