An efficient, diversity-oriented synthesis of oxazepino[5,4-b]quinazolin-9-ones, 6H-chromeno[4,3-b]quinolines, and dibenzo[b,h][1,6]naphthyridines was established involving a substrate-based
approach under microwave-assisted and conventional heating conditions
in high yields (up to 88%). The CuBr2-catalyzed, chemoselective
cascade annulation of O-propargylated 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes
and 2-aminobenzamides delivered oxazepino[5,4-b]quinazolin-9-ones
involving a 6-exo-trig cyclization-air
oxidation-1,3-proton shift-7-exo-dig cyclization
sequence. This one-pot process showed excellent atom economy (−H2O) and constructed two new heterocyclic rings (six- and seven-membered)
and three new C–N bonds in a single synthetic operation. On
the other side of diversification, the reaction between O/N-propargylated 2-hydroxy/aminobenzaldehydes and
2-aminobenzyl alcohols delivered 6H-chromeno[4,3-b]quinolines and dibenzo[b,h][1,6]naphthyridines involving sequential imine formation-[4 + 2]
hetero-Diels–Alder reaction-aromatization steps. The influence
of microwave assistance was superior to conventional heating, where
the reactions were clean, rapid, and completed in 15 min, and the
conventional heating required a longer reaction time at a relatively
elevated temperature.