A series of 63 3-substituted quinoline derivatives has been prepared and tested for inhibition of cell-free platelet derived growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (PDGF-RTK) activity. The compounds were generally prepared either by a Friedlander condensation between an aryl-acetaldehyde and an o-aminobenzaldehyde or by a palladium-catalyzed coupling between an aryl bromide or triflate and an organostannane or organozinc chloride. The presence of 6,7-dimethoxy groups on the quinoline ring was found to be advantageous although not essential for potent inhibition of PDGF-RTK. A lipophilic group attached to the quinoline 3-position contributed substantially to activity. The lipophilic groups generally consisted of monocyclic aromatics or small alkynyl, alkenyl, and alkyl groups. Optimum activity of ca. less than or equal to 20 nM (IC50) was observed when 6,7-dimethoxyquinoline was substituted in the 3-position with 4-methoxyphenyl (15d), 3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl (17m), 3-fluorophenyl (17b), 4-hydroxyphenyl (24), 6-methoxypyridin-3-yl (15o), 5-pyridin-2(1H)-one (23), trans-beta-styryl(15e), thiophene-3-yl (2e), 5-chlorothiophene-2-yl (15f), or cyclopentenyl (17n) groups. Most of the compounds in the series were tested for inhibition of cell-free epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase activity and found to be inactive.