A one-pot synthesis for the preparation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridines involving a Zr(IV)-catalyzed Mannich reaction of o-azidobenzaldehydes and arylamines with cycloketones, followed by aza-Witting cyclization and deaminative aromatization, is developed. This method can be extended for the synthesis of cyclohepta[b]quinolines.