Synthesis 2010(21): 3645-3648  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1258258
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Limitations of the ‘Two-Phase’ Doebner-Miller Reaction for the Synthesis of Quinolines

Kristie A. Reynoldsa, David J. Younga,b, Wendy A. Loughlin*a,c
a Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
b School of Biomolecular and Physical Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
c Science, Environment, Engineering, and Technology Executive, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
Fax: +61(7)37354307; e-Mail: w.loughlin@griffith.edu.au;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 22 July 2010
Publication Date:
17 September 2010 (online)

Abstract

The Doebner-Miller synthesis of quinolines under modified biphasic conditions was investigated. Crotonaldehyde, reacted readily with aniline to produce 2-methylquinoline. However, cinnamaldehyde and other γ-substituted α,β-unsaturated aldehydes yielded complex mixtures with substituted anilines to provide only trace quantities of quinolines. The Doebner-Miller reaction under these conditions is only suitable for sterically accessible α,β-unsaturated aldehydes.