While natural products have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in drug discovery, their potential as lead compounds has been hindered by challenges such as limited accessibility and complex synthesis processes. At the core of numerous natural and synthetic compounds, each exhibiting remarkable biological traits, lies the foundational structure of 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone, also recognised as 2-oxo-tetrahydroquinoline (2 O-THQ). This article extensively examines the occurrence of 2 O-THQ alkaloids across diverse organisms including animals, fungi, and bacteria, exploring their capacity to serve as a source for innovative bioactive natural products. Despite the undeniable significance of these compounds, the existing body of review literature has yet to provide comprehensive coverage, underscoring the pivotal contribution of this present article in investigating their prevalence in nature.
Keywords: 2-Oxo-tetrahydroquinoline; 2O-thq; 3,4-Dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone; alkaloid; natural product.