The catalytic activity of various heterogeneous solid acid catalysts including NaHSO4-SiO2, H SO4-SiO2, Amberlyst-15 and HClO4-SiO2 on the Friedlander synthesis of quinolines has been studied. Amberlyst-15 has been found to be most effective in terms of the reaction times, yields and reusability of the catalyst. A series of quillolines have been prepared using this catalyst. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.