One-pot synthesis of 2-arylquinazolines and tetracyclic isoindolo[1,2-a]quinazolines via cyanation followed by rearrangement of ortho-substituted 2-halo-N-arylbenzamides

The one-pot synthesis of substituted 2-arylquinazoline derivatives and tetracylic isoindolo[1,2-a]quinazoline via cyanation followed by rearrangement of ortho-substituted 2-halo-N-arylbenzamides is described. Using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvent, the cleavage of the tetracyclic isoindole fused quinazoline leads to the formation of 2-arylquinazoline derivatives. When 1,4-dioxane is used as the solvent, tetracyclic isoindole fused quinazolines are produced in good yield. A wide range of products, including 2-phenylquinazolin-4-amine, 4-methyl-2-phenylquinazoline and long-chain 2-phenyl-4-styrylquinazoline derivatives were produced in moderate to good yields using DMSO as the solvent. However, various tetracyclic isoindole fused quinazoline derivatives were obtained in good yields when 1,4-dioxane was used as the solvent.