Electrochemical synthesis of 2-substituted quinazolinones from primary benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds and 2-aminobenzamides

Abstract

An electrochemically promoted primary benzylic C(sp³)–H directed dehydrogenative cascade cyclization for the synthesis of quinazolinones was developed under undivided electrolytic conditions. In this protocol, neither external chemical oxidants nor transition-metal catalysts were needed, and a broad range of substituted quinazolinones were efficiently synthesized from simple methyl arenes and 2-aminobenzamides in high efficiencies. The reaction mechanism was investigated using a series of control experiments and CV studies, which showed that the reaction likely proceeds via an aryl radical cation pathway.