Electrochemical synthesis of 4-quinazolinone derivatives mediated by acetic acid

Abstract

The acid-catalyzed cyclization of 2-aminobenzamides into 4-quinazolines was achieved using a combination of carbon and aluminum electrodes under electrochemical conditions. Overall, the method offers large substrate scope with good functional group tolerance using acetic acid as an inexpensive electrolyte. Quinazolin-4(3H)one and 2-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives were also prepared under similar electrochemical conditions. The transformations occurred at room temperature with moderate to good yields. A few of the quinazolin-4(3H)-one cores were successfully transformed into compounds similar to known anticancer drugs.