Reactions of pentafluorobenzoylpyruvic acid with amines afford the res
pective enamines. The intramolecular cyclization of the latter results
in N-substituted 4-quinolone-2-carboxylic acids. Ammonia and triethyl
amine favor the cyclization of pentafluorobenzoylpyruvic acid to 2-car
boxychromone,