Expedient approach to synthesis of 4-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl) quinolines through an intramolecular cyclization of ethyl 2-cyano-4,4,4-trifluoro-3 (arylamino)but-2-enoate derivatives.

Ethyl 2-cyano-4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(phenylamino)but-2-enoates have been synthesized by reaction of ethyl 2-cyanoacetate with trifluoroacetimidoyl chloride derivatives using sodium hydride in acetonitrile by conventional and microwave irradiation methods. Then, intramolecular cyclization of these products in nitrobenzene under reflux conditions afforded a new series of substituted (trifluoromethyl)quinoline-3-carbonitrile derivatives in quantitative yields.