Cyanomethylative cyclization of unactivated alkenes with nitriles for the synthesis of cyano-containing ring-fused quinazolin-4(3H)-ones

The synthesis of cyano-containing ring-fused quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives was developed under metal-free conditions. This synthesis involves radical C(sp(3))-H functionalization of alkyl nitriles, and cascade radical addition/cyclization with N-alkylated quinazolinones to deliver cyanoalkylated pyrrolo- and piperidino-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones in moderate to excellent yields. Moreover, a derivative of the natural product leucomidine C was synthesized conveniently using the current protocol.

Automated summary

A metal-free synthesis method for cyano-containing ring-fused quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives was developed, achieving moderate to excellent yields. Additionally, a derivative of the natural product leucomidine C was conveniently synthesized using this method.