A novel, efficient, and scalable
CO2 mediated synthesis of quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione was developed by a simple cyclization
of 2-aminobenzonitrile with DMF in water as the solvent. This is the
first report of its kind. DMF was used as the necessary carbon source
in the synthesis of quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione. This synthetic protocol is very efficient; it gives >99%
conversion with excellent selectivity. The product was isolated by
filtration because of the highly insoluble nature of quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione in water. The co-product, dimethyl
amine, also has industrial importance, and the CO2 that
is used can be recycled. This protocol has wide-spread applications
in the syntheses of benzimidazole and benzothiazole.