Unprecedented outcome of base-promoted Neber rearrangement of O-mesyloximeof 2-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-methylsulfonyl-4-quinolone-synthesis of 4-amino-2-arylquinolines

O-Mesyloximes derived from 2-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-methylsulfonyl-4-qui nolones react with sodium ethoxide in ethanol to afford the 4-amino-2-arylq uinolines in high yield. No traces of the 3-amino-2-aryl-4-quinolones expec ted from the Neber rearrangement of the substrates were detected or isolate d from the reaction mixture. The structures of the products were determined using a combination of H-1 NMR,C-13 NMR, IR and mass spectroscopic techniq ues.