We herein report a regioselective preparation of 6- and 7-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines by applying the deoxyfluorination strategy, developed by the authors. This method includes the cyclization of catecholamines bearing an N-protecting group to form 7-hydroxy-1-azaspiro[4.5]deca-6,9-dien-8-ones and 6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines followed by deoxyfluorination, in which the nature of the N-protecting group has a significant effect on both the cyclization and the regioselectivity of the deoxyfluorination reaction. © 2021 Japan Institute of Heterocyclic Chemistry. All rights reserved.