An efficient one-pot synthesis of substituted quinolines from alpha-arylamino ketones in the presence of PBr3 in DMF has been developed. This general protocol provides a novel and facile access to substituted quinolines by sequential Vilsmeier-Haack reaction, intramolecular cyclization and aromatization reactions of alpha-arylamino ketones. PBr3 plays a dual role in the quinoline synthesis: as a key