One-pot Synthesis of 2-seleno-4-methylquinoline

Number of workers has reported the synthesis of condensed fused quinoline derivatives containing selenium atom and studied for their DNA binding, cytotoxic, anticancer and antitumour activities [1-3]. The reported ring system of interest because of close relationship with anticancer alkaloid ellipticine [4]. Therefore, the development of organoselenium compounds with higher anticarcinogenic efficacy but better tolerance continues to be a priority in chemotherapy research. So, we have tentatively identified these 2-selenium-4-methylquinolines as new member of the class of antitumour drug and starting material for the synthesis of many tri- and tetra cyclic planar molecules. We herein report facile, eco-friendly and one-pot synthesis of 2-seleno-4-methylquinoline from 2-chloro-4-methylquinoline. The synthesis of 2-hydroxy-4-methylquinoline and 2-chloro-4-methylquinoline were prepared according to literature procedure [5]. A mixture of 2-chloro-4-methylquinoline 2 (1.58 g, 1 mmol) and NaHSe (1 g, 1 mmol) was refluxed at 80-90 o C in presence of ethanol (5 ml) for 1 h. The completion of the reaction was monitored by TLC eluting the phase ethyl acetate: carbon tetrachloride (80:20). The reaction mixture was poured in t