Three‐Component Povarov Reaction with Alcohols as Alkene Precursors: Efficient Access to 2‐Arylquinolines

An atom‐economic and efficient approach to the synthesis of 2‐arylquinolines has been developed. The protocol involves an iron‐catalysed cascade N‐alkylation/aerobic oxidation/Povarov reaction, and the desired quinolines were prepared in moderate to excellent yields from readily accessible anilines, aldehydes, and EtOH/nPrOH, with water as the only side‐product. The aniline substrates also act as a recyclable transfer medium for EtOH/nPrOH through an in‐situ N‐alkylation/oxidation process. This makes EtOH/nPrOH an economical and environmentally friendly precursor of alkenes as well as the solvent.