An expedient approach to synthesize fluorescent 3-substituted 4H-quinolizin-4-ones via (η(4)-vinylketene)-Fe(CO)3 complexes.

An efficient and practical methodology for the synthesis of 3-substituted 4H-quinolizin-4-ones using (η(4)-vinylketene)-Fe(CO)3 complexes as key intermediates has been developed. The advantage of this transformation lies in the use of simple and readily available starting materials and mild carbonylation conditions. The fluorescent properties of these compounds were determined and the quantum yield was obtained, ranging from 0.04 to 0.36 depending on the substituent.