NaN(SiMe 3 ) 2 /CsTFA Copromoted Aminobenzylation/Cyclization of 2-Isocyanobenzaldehydes with Toluene Derivatives or Benzyl Compounds: One-Pot Access to Dihydroquinazolines and Quinazolines.

A NaN(SiMe 3 ) 2 /CsTFA copromoted aminobenzylation/cyclization reaction of 2-isocyanobenzaldehydes with toluene derivatives or benzyl compounds has been developed. The reaction works with a broad range of toluene derivatives and benzyl compounds, and provides a simple and efficient strategy for the synthesis of 4-benzyl-substitued dihydroquinazoline and quinazoline derivatives from easily available acyclic starting materials in a single step. Further applications, including synthesis of quinazoline, dihydroindolo[1,2- c ]quinazoline, and dihydro-8 H -isoquinolino[2,3- c ]quinazoline, demonstrated the tremendous potential of the tandem reaction.