A series of substituted 2-phenyl-4-quinolones 8–11 have been synthesized in good yields via flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT) of 1-aryl-4-cyano-5-phenylpyrrole-2, 3-diones 7a–e and 1-aryl-4-methoxycarbonyl-5-phenylpyrrole-2, 3-diones 7f–j. The pyrrolediones 7 were prepared from amines 3 and benzoylacetonitriles 5a–e or methyl 3-arylamino-3-phenylprop- 2-enoates 5f–j.
