A general strategy for the synthesis of oxoisoindolo[2,1-a]quinoline derivatives: The first efficient synthesis of 5,6,6a,11-tetrahydro-11-oxoisoindolo[2,1-a]quinoline-10-carboxylic acids

An efficient two-step synthesis of new isoindolo[2,1-a]quinoline-10-carboxylic acids via [4+2] cycloaddition of the 4-α-furyl-4-N-arylaminobut-1-enes and maleic anhydride is described. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.