Cyanide mediated decarboxylation of 1-substituted-4-oxoquinoline and 4-oxo-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)74392-9

Electron deficient 3-quinolinecarboxylic acids undergo ready decarboxylation in the presence of cyanide ion. This reaction most likely requires the addition of CN^- to the 2-position of the quinoline (or naphthyridine) nucleus to provide a β-keto acid intermediate that rapidly decarboxylates to give the 3-H substituted product.