One-Pot Sequential Synthesis of Alkenylated Dihydroquinolinones and Hexahydroacridinones in Deep Eutectic Solvent Medium

The sequential synthesis of <i>N</i>-heterocycles from saturated ketones poses significant challenges and has rarely been reported. Herein, an efficient synthesis of alkenylated dihydroquinolinones <b>7</b> and hexahydroacridinones <b>8</b> is achieved from saturated ketones <b>1</b> or <b>2</b> via dehydrogenation, cyclization, oxidation, and α-alkenylation in choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) medium. This strategy provides alkenylated dihydroquinolinones <b>7</b> and hexahydroacridinones <b>8</b> in excellent yield from low-cost, readily available starting materials under environmentally benign conditions. Furthermore, the synthesized compounds (<b>4</b>, <b>5</b>, <b>7</b>, and <b>8</b>) were investigated for their photophysical properties through absorption and emission spectral studies.