Acid-catalyzed rearrangement of 3-(β-2-aminostyryl)quinoxalin-2(1H)ones—a new and efficient method for the synthesis of 2-benzimidazol-2-ylquinolines

A highly efficient, one-step, versatile method for the synthesis of 2-benzimidazol-2-ylquinolines has been developed on the basis of an acid-catalyzed rearrangement proceeding via a novel ring contraction of 3-(β-2-aminostyryl)quinoxalin-2(1H)ones.