Photogenerated chlorine radicals activate C(sp3)–H bonds of alkylbenzenes to access quinazolinones

Abstract

An Fe-catalyzed visible-light induced condensation of alkylbenzenes with anthranilamides has been developed. Upon irradiation, the trivalent iron complex could generate chlorine radicals, which successfully abstracted the hydrogen of benzylic C–H bonds to form benzyl radicals. And these benzyl radicals were converted into oxygenated products under air conditions, which subsequently reacted with anthranilamides for the synthesis of quinazolinones.