A novel catalyst-free radical oxidative C−H annulation reaction of arylamines with α-keto acids toward benzoxazin-2-ones synthesis under mild conditions was developed. This hypervalent iodine(III)-promoted process eliminated the use of a metal catalyst or additive with high levels of functional group tolerance. Hypervalent iodine(III) was both an oxidant and a radical initiator for this reaction. The synthetic utility of this method was confirmed by the synthesis of the natural product cephalandole A.

A simple and practical synthesis of 2-aminobenzoxaoles has been developed from commercially available o-fluoroanilines, and formamides. The process can be performed in the absence of metal catalyst with high levels...