The reaction of pentafluorobenzoylacetic acid ethyl ester (I) with triethyl orthoformate in refluxing acetic anhydride, followed by condensation with cyclopropylamine, gives 2-(pentafluorobenzoyl)-3-(cyclopropylamino)acrylic acid ethyl ester (II), which is cyclized by means of NaH in THF to yield 1-cyclopropyl-5,6,7,8-tetrafluoro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (III). The hydrolysis of (III) with H2SO4 /HOAc in refluxing water affords the corresponding carboxylic acid (IV), which is finally condensed with cis-2,6-dimethylpiperazine (V) in DMF to provide the target quinolone.