Electrosynthesis of polycyclic quinazolinones and rutaecarpine from isatoic anhydrides and cyclic amines.

A direct decarboxylative cyclization between readily available isatoic anhydrides and cyclic amines was established to construct polycyclic fused quinazolinones employing electrochemical methods. This procedure was performed in an undivided cell without the use of a transition-metal-catalyst and external oxidant. A broad scope of polycyclic fused quinazolinones were obtained in moderate to good yields. Additionally, rutaecarpine was also prepared through our method in one step in good yield.