Copper-catalyzed intermolecular cyclization of nitriles and 2-aminobenzylamine for 3,4-dihydroquinazolines and quinazolines synthesis via cascade coupling and aerobic oxidation

Abstract

A copper-catalyzed cascade coupling and aerobic oxidation of aromatic nitriles and 2-aminobenzylamine for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydroquinazolines and quinazolineshas been achieved. The catalytic system, characterized by not adding additives and using molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant, exhibited exquisite substrate specificity and operated under mild conditions through inherently “green” processes.