Photocatalytic Synthesis of Quinolines via Povarov Reaction under Oxidant-Free Conditions.

We describe here an approach for synthesizing quinolines either from alkyl anilines or from anilines and aldehydes. A dual-catalyst system consisting of a photocatalyst and a proton reduction cocatalyst is employed. Without the use of any sacrificial oxidant and under extremely mild conditions, the reactions afford quinolines in excellent yields and produce H as a byproduct.