tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide Promoted the Reaction of Quinazoline-3-oxides with Primary Amines Affording Quinazolin-4(3 H )-ones.

An efficient and facile approach for the synthesis of quinazolin-4(3 H )-ones via the reaction of quinazoline-3-oxides with primary amines is described. This approach is demonstrated to be applicable for a broad range of substrates and proceeds efficiently under metal-free and mild reaction conditions employing easily available tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant. Remarkably, 3-(2-(1 H -indol-3-yl) ethyl)quinazolin-4(3 H )-one 3w , which was conveniently obtained by this process in 70% yield, was an excellent precursor for the synthesis of bioactive evodiamine and rutaempine.