The quinolone antibiotics flumequine (l), nalidixic acid (2), oxolinic acid (3), and cinoxacin (4) were selected. In view of the fact that the structural features of the bketoacids would seem to preclude facile decarboxylation, it was surprising that the formation of the corresponding nitriles proved more challenging than anticipated. Initial attempts which included the following reactions: a) thermal cyclization of ethyl 3-[(3, 4-methylenedioxyphenyl) amino]-2 ...