Synthesis of a stable triformylmethane synthon and its scalable application to 7-acylamino-3-formylquinoline syntheses

Novel 2-iminiomethylvinamidinium trihalides were isolated as stable crystals and found to be useful triformylmethane synthons with non-deliquescent nature in air. They were easier to manufacture, handle, and store than the known 2-iminiomethylvinamidinium dichloride. By virtue of in situ aminal protection, a combination of the vinamidinium salt with a secondary amine achieved an efficient and scalable synthesis of 7-acylamino-3-formylquinoline, a versatile synthetic intermediate for potent anti-obesity drugs 7-acylamino-3-aminomethyl-8-methylquinolines.