ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY VAPOR-PHASE SYNTHESIS OF ALKYLQUINOLINES

2-methyl-8-ethylquinoline (MEQUI) was synthesized from ethylene glycol and an excess of 2-ethylaniline, operating in the vapour phase on K10 montmorillonite. Its structure was confirmed by H-1-NMR (200 MHz) spe ctra recorded in CDCl3 and DMSO. The synthesis of MEQUI is favoured by increasing the reaction temperature and amount of ethylene glycol, op erating in a partial reducing atmosphere and feeding small amounts of water inside the organic feed. A possible reaction pathway proposed wa s confirmed by feeding a 2-ethylaniline/crotonaldehyde mixture.