One-pot synthesis of quinolin-2-(1H)-ones via tandem Ugi–Knoevenagel condensations ☆

A new application of the Ugi reaction in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds is described. Substituted quinolin-2-(1H)-ones are formed in one-pot sequential Ugi four-component condensation and intramolecular Knoevenagel cyclization between o-acylanilines, aldehydes, malonic or tosylacetic acids and cyclohexyl isocyanide.