Iodine-catalyzed synthesis of 5-benzoyl-8H-phthalazino[1,2-b]quinazolin-8-one derivatives via a domino reaction involving a benzyl automatic oxidation by oxygen.

A one-pot procedure for the synthesis of 5-benzoyl-8 H -phthalazino[1,2- b ]quinazolin-8-ones is achieved by an iodine-catalyzed reaction of 2-aminobenzohydrazides and 2-alkynylbenzaldehydes in good yields. The salient feature of this strategy is a domino type process including a condensation, addition, hydroamination, and a noteworthy benzyl automatic oxidation by oxygen under metal-catalyst-free conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]