2-Benzyliden-2H-thieto[3,2-b]quinoline: a new heterocycle and its rearrangement to 2-phenylthieno[3,2-b]quinoline

Synthesis of the strained 2H-thieto[3,2-b]quinoline ring system is reported for the first time. Treatment of (Z)-2-benzyliden-2H-thieto[3,2-b]quinoline derivatives of this heterocycle with base, at reflux in ethanol, causes a novel rearrangement to 2-phenylthieno[3,2-b]quinolines. Indeed, the one-pot reaction of 2-aminobenzaldehydes and (Z)-2-benzylidenethietan-3-one in refluxing basic ethanol leads directly to 2-phenylthieno[3,2-b]quinolines in good yields.