Synthesis of 2-trifluoromethylated quinolines from CF₃-alkenes

α-CF3-enamines can be prepared by the reaction of pyrrolidine with the corresponding haloalkenes. The prepared enamines react with 2-nitrobenzaldehydes to give ortho-nitro-substituted α,β-diaryl-CF3-enones highly stereoselectively in up to 88% yield. Subsequent reduction of the nitro-group by an Fe-AcOH system promotes intramolecular cyclization to afford 2-CF3-3-arylquinolines in up to 99% isolated yield. High synthetic utility of all synthetic steps of the sequence was shown. A one-pot procedure was developed to give the target trifluoromethylated quinolines directly from enamines or haloalkenes.