Efficient Access to Chromeno[4,3-b]quinolines Related to Dependensin

We report a robust synthesis of novel chromeno[4,3-b] quinoline derivatives structurally similar to the natural product dependensin. The target compounds are accessed through the acid-catalysed condensation of 2-aminoacetophenones or 2-aminochalcones with substituted flavanones, which are in turn obtained from 2-hydroxyacetophenones and benzaldehydes.