SHORT COMMUNICATIONSTetrahydroquinoline ring system is a structural fragment of many alkaloids [1], but it is impossible to satisfy a need of these compounds at the expense of only natural sources. Therefore, interest in development of methods for their preparation is quite understandable. Using previously synthesized substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-4-carboxylic acids [2] as starting compounds we obtained methyl 4-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinoline-6-carboxylate (I). Acylation of methyl 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-4-carboxylate (III) with chloroacetyl chloride gave methyl 1-chloroacetyl-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-4-carboxylate (II), and the latter underwent intramolecular alkylation according to Friedel-Crafts with formation of compound I which was isolated as individual Z isomer; its structure was proved by X-ray analysis [3].Methyl 4-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinoline-6-carboxylate (I). A solution of 1 g (3.6 mmol) of compound II in 20 ml of 1,2-dichlorobenzene was heated to the boiling point, 5 g (36 mmol) of aluminum chloride was gradually added under stirring, and the mixture was heated for 5 h at 100-105°C, the progress of the reaction being monitored by TLC. The mixture was poured onto ice, treated with a solution of sodium carbonate until pH 10, and extracted with ethyl acetate, the extract was evaporated under reduced pressure, and the residue was recrystallized from ethanol. Yield 0.73 g (83%), mp 125-128°C, R f 0.29 (benzene-ethyl acetate, 4 : 1). IR spectrum, ν, cm -1 : 1731 (C=O, ester), 1701 (C=O, amide). 1 H NMR spectrum, δ, ppm (J, Hz): 1.13 d (3H, CH 3 , J = 6.5), 2.11 d.t (1H, 5-H ax , J = 6.0, 14.1), 2.35 d.t (1H, 5-H eq , J = 3.5, 14.1), 3.49 s (1H, CH 2 ), 3.53 s (1H, CH 2 ), 3.65 s (3H, OCH 3 ), 3.98 d.d (1H, 6-H, J = 3.5, 6.0), 4.18-4.26 m (1H, 2-H), 6.93 t (1H, 8-H, J = 6.5), 7.13 t (2H, 7-H, 9-H, J = 6.5). Mass spectrum, m/z (I rel , %): 245 (100) [M] + , 230 (40), 187 (7), 186 (84), 170 (66), 158 (91), 142 (46). Found, %: C 69.21; H 6.37; N 5.53. C 14 H 15 NO 3 . Calculated, %: C 68.56; H 6.16; N 5.71. M 245.28.Methyl 1-(chloroacetyl)-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-4-carboxylate (II). A solution of 1 g (5 mmol) of compound III in 10 ml (14.2 g, 0.126 mol) of chloroacetyl chloride was heated for 1 h on a water bath. Excess chloroacetyl chloride was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the residue was recrystallized from anhydrous ethanol. Yield 1.38 g (99%), mp 60-63°C. IR spectrum, ν, cm -1 : 1743 (C=O, ester), 1654 (C=O, amide). 1 H NMR spectrum, δ, ppm (J, Hz): 1.05 d (3H, CH 3 , J = 5.9), 1.30-1.45 m and 2.51-2.63 m (1H each, 3-H), 3.60 d.d (1H, 2-H, J = 4.4, J 11.7), 3.80 s (3H, OCH 3 ), 4.21 d and 4.45 d (1H each, CH 2 Cl, J = 13.2), 4.58 q (1H, 4-H,