Metal-free synthesis of 2-difluoromethylated quinolines via DBU-promoted cascade michael addition / cyclization of methyl 4,4-difluorobut-2-ynoate with 2-aminobenzonitriles

Abstract A facile synthesis of 2-difluoromethylated quinolines via DBU-promoted cascade Michael addition/cyclization between functionalized 2-aminobenzonitriles and methyl 4,4-difluorobut-2-ynoate has been developed. Various highly functionalized quinolines were assembled in moderate to good yields under mild metal-free reaction conditions.