Synthesis of 2,4-diaminoquinazolines and tricyclic quinazolines by cascade reductive cyclization of methyl N-cyano-2-nitrobenzimidates.

An efficient route to N(4)-substituted 2,4-diaminoquinazolines has been developed by employing tandem condensation of cyanoimidate-amine and reductive cyclization in iron-HCl system. This method is tolerant of a following intramolecular N-alkylation and produces two fused heterocycles in a one-pot procedure. This protocol is a facile two-step synthesis of tricyclic quinazolines, which is effected by potent cyanoimidation and tandem reductive cyclization from 2-nitrobenzaldehydes. Moreover, the forming process of tricyclic quinazolines has been investigated from the ring-opening/ring-closing cascade point of view. It is found that the preparation of tricyclic quinazolinones in good yields relies on the selective hydrolysis of tricyclic quinazolines in base or acid system.