Friedländer reactions of β-keto amides proceed readily under mild aqueous conditions β-and γ-keto carbonyl groups participate in an array of chemical transformations that generate carbocyclic and heterocyclic frameworks, often with elements of stereocontrol . One classic transformation is the Friedländer reaction , a double condensation of a 2-aminoarylcarbonyl and an aldehyde or ketone to form a quinoline, a fused [6,6] heterocyclic aromatic ring. Friedländer reactions are typically performed under harsh conditions, requiring a strongly acidic or basic additive and/or reaction temperatures greater than 150 °C (Fig. ) ; these conditions would likely degrade sensitive peptides. Although we were encouraged by several reports of high-yielding Friedländer reactions of β-ketoesters performed in acetic acid and acetic acid/water mixtures , we could identify only limited literature examples of Friedländer reactions of β-keto amides , and none that proceeded under mild conditions that would be appropriate for peptides and with a wide substrate scope.