Imino Diels-Alder Reaction Catalyzed by Iodine: Efficient Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinolines

Iodine was found to be an efficient catalyst for the imino Diels-Alder reaction of N-arylimine with enol ethers to provide tetrahydroquinolines in good yields. The influence of the loading of iodine, reaction solvent, the structure of imine and enol ethers was studied. One pot synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines from aldehyde, aniline and enol ethers catalyzed by iodine was also applicable and provided tetrahydroquinolines in comparable yields. Mild reaction conditions, facile experimental procedure, low price of iodine and good yield of products render this new method attractive for practical synthesis of many tetrahydroquinoline derivatives.