N-Methoxy-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydroquinoline-1(2H)-carboxamide → 1-Methoxy-4-phenyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-imidazo[4,5,1-ij]quinolin-2(1H)-one

A solution of N-methoxy-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydroquinoline-1(2H)-carboxamide (0.869 g, 3.08 mmol) in chloroform (23.2 mL) at 0° C. was with treated with [I,I-bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene (1.59 g, 3.69 mmol) in four portions over 20 min. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min and at room temperature for 30 min. The reaction mixture was then diluted with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (40 mL) and extracted with dichloromethane (50 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to give a crude oil. Purification by flash column chromatography (100% hexanes to 70% ethyl acetate/hexanes, the ethyl acetate containing 5% methanol) gave the desired product (0.576 g, 66%) as a racemic mixture. LCMS calculated for C17H17N2O2 (M+H)+: m/z=281.1. found: 281.1.