Gallium(III) triflate-catalyzed one-pot selective synthesis of 2 3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones and quinazolin-4(3H)-ones

A series of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones and quinazolin-4(3H) -ones have been synthesized in good to excellent yields and high selectivity by one-pot reaction using isatoic anhydride, ammonium acetate (or amines), and aldehydes in ethanol or in DMSO under mild conditions, respectively. The reaction was efficiently prompted by 1 mol % Ga(OTf)(3) and the catalyst could be recovered easily after the reactions and reused without evident loss of reactivity. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd.