AbstractThis is the first reported investigation of the Combes condensation employing 19F NMR spectroscopy to monitor intermediate consumption and product formation rates. The reaction was found to be first order in both the diketone and aniline. Product regioselectivity and reaction rates were found to be influenced by substituents on the diketones and anilines with rates varying as much as five fold. The consumption rate of key imine and enamine intermediates mirrored quinoline formation rates, in accord with rate determining annulation. A ρ of −0.32 was determined for this cyclization. While the sign of the reaction constant is consistent with rate limiting electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS), the magnitude is likely a composite value, resulting from opposing substituent effects in the nucleophilic addition and EAS steps. Mechanistic details and reaction pathways supporting these findings are proposed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.