Potassium Hydroxide → 7-(2,5-Dichlorothiophen-3-yl)-4-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolin-5-one

A solution of 5-(2,5-dichlorothiophen-3-yl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (42.0 g) and ammonium acetate (36.9 g) in ethanol (840 ml) was refluxed for 12 hours. Under reduced pressure, the solvent was evaporated, and to the residue was added water. The crystals were filtered, washed with toluene and dried to give 1-amino-5-(2,5-dichlorothiophen-3-yl)cyclohexen-3-one (40.3 g). To a solution of 1-amino-5-(2,5-dichlorothiophen-3-yl)cyclohexen-3-one (37.0 g) in ethanol (700 ml) and toluene (1400 ml) were added 3-oxobutylaldehydedimethylacetal (46.6 g) and powdery potassium hydroxide (7.7 g), and the mixture was refluxed. To the mixture was added powdery potassium hydroxide (1.6 g) 30 minutes later; powdery potassium hydroxide (1.6 g) and 3-oxobutylaldehydedimethylacetal (3.7 g) 1 hour later; and powdery potassium hydroxide (1.6 g) 1.5 hours later; and then the mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 2 hours. After the mixture was cooled, the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and to the residue was added ethyl acetate. The mixture was washed with water and saturated brine, and dried with magnesium sulfate. Under reduced pressure, ethyl acetate was evaporated, and the thus obtained oil containing crystals were subjected to silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane) to remove starting materials. The thus obtained crystals were recrystallized from ethyl acetate-hexane to give 7-(2,5-dichlorothiophen-3-yl)-4-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolin-5-one (32.6 g).