Synthesis of 3H-Quinazolin-4-ones and 4H-3,1-Benzoxazin-4-ones via Benzylic Oxidation and Oxidative Dehydrogenation using Potassium Iodide-tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide

A simple and elegant method for benzylic activation was demonstrated employing the potassium iodide/tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide catalytic system. This methodology was further extended for the synthesis of biologically important heterocycles namely, 3H-quinazolin-4-ones and 4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones including mecloqualone and etaqualone which are important quinazolinone-based drugs used for the treatment of insomnia in good yields.