A multicomponent reaction of acetals for the preparation of quinolines

A straightforward, mild, one-pot method has been found for the preparation of quinolines via a multi-component reaction using acetals or cyclic acetals, aromatic amines and alkynes catalysed by Bi(OTf)3. It gives good yields under mild conditions. This approach has been successfully applied for the synthesis of a range of quinolines with a variety of functional groups.