Abstract N-Methylformanilide in POCl 3 reacts readily at 80 C with alkanoamides (RCH 2 CONR'2) to give 3-R-4-chloroquinolinium salts in good yields. The arylamide reacts as its Vilsmeier salt and the alkanoamide as an α-chloroenamine. High yields of 4-quinolones are easily obtained by base treatment.