Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate is an excellent, general catalyst for the Friedlander and Friedlander-Borsche quinoline syntheses: very efficient access to the antitumor alkaloid luotonin A

Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate is used as a catalyst of the Friedlander reaction that has allowed the synthesis of polysubstituted quinoline derivatives, avoiding the traditionally harshly basic or acidic conditions. CAN has allowed double condensations and is also an excellent catalyst for the Borsche variation of the Friedlander reaction, which is applied to the efficient synthesis of the antitumor alkaloid luotonin A.