Various chromeno[4,3-b]quinolines and spirobenzofuran-3,3′-quinolines were prepared in good to excellent yields through a reduction and silver-mediated Appel reaction/sequential C–Br bond cleavage/double selective rearrangement cascade strategy from easily available chromeno[4,3-b]indolecarbaldehydes. Cross-over experiments revealed that the group migration occurred intramolecularly and the electronic effect on styrenyl groups had a little effect on the migration step. Two novel quinoline scaffolds were easily prepared on a gram scale by simple operation.
![Graphical abstract: Synthesis of chromeno[4,3-b]quinolines and spirobenzofuran-3,3′-quinolines through silver-mediated Appel reaction/C–Br bond cleavage/double selective rearrangement sequence](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C9QO00417C.jpg)