Alkoxycarbonylation-triggered nitrile insertion/remote C(sp2)–H and C(sp3)–H functionalization to access esterified quinazolinones and amidines

Abstract

A new alkoxycarbonyl radical triggered nitrile insertion/remote C(sp²)–H and C(sp³)–H functionalization reaction is developed. With this method, a broad range of ester-containing fused quinazolinones and bicyclic amidines are prepared through cascade alkoxycarbonyl radical addition/nitrile insertion/cyclization with N-cyanamide alkenes under mild conditions. This protocol is compatible with a wide variety of N-cyanamide alkenes and alkyloxalyl chlorides including some bioactive molecules.