| Abstract: | Methyl 3-(N-arylamino)-2-cyano-3-methylthioacrylates 3a-h , which are readily prepared by the reaction of the ketene dithioacetal, methyl 2-cyano-3,3-bis(methylthio)acrylate ( 1 ) with arylamines, was heated at reflux in diphenyl ether to give the corresponding 2-methylthio-4-hydroxyquinoline-3-carbonitriles 4a-h in 14–77% yields. The reaction of 1 with excess aryl amines in diphenyl ether at reflux gave also the corresponding 2-arylamino-4-hydroxyquinoline-3-carbonitriles 6a-d . The 2-methylthioquinoline-3-carbonitriles 4a-h , thus obtained, are useful intermediates for the synthesis of various quinoline derivatives. |
