Access to quinolines through gold-catalyzed intermolecular cycloaddition of 2-aminoaryl carbonyls and internal alkynes.

A facile and general method leading to polyfunctionalized quinolines was developed. In the presence of a highly efficient combination encompassing (PPh)(3)AuCl and AgOTf, the reactions between 2-aminocarbonyls and an array of internal alkynes proceeded smoothly to afford quinoline derivatives in good to excellent yields (up to 93%).