Electrochemical Synthesis of Quinazolinones by the Metal-Free and Acceptor-Free Dehydrogenation of 2-Aminobenzamides.

An efficient approach has been developed for the construction of quinazolin-4(3 H)-ones by the selective anodic dehydrogenative oxidation/cyclization of benzylic chlorides and 2-aminobenzamides. The method features acceptor-free and metal-free dehydrogenation of amines to imines; a subsequent intermolecular addition provides the products in moderate to good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]