Various substituted benz [f] isoquinolines were readily prepared by the condensation of ethyl cyanoacetate and salicylaldehyde or 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde with aliphatic ketones (acetone, diethyl ketone, methyl pentyl ketone, methyl isopentyl ketone, etc.) or aromatic ketones (acetophenone, o-hydroxyacetophenone, m-nitroacetophenone, propiophenone, etc.) in the presence of ammonium acetate. On the other hand, condensation with cyclic ...