Radical reactions with 3H-quinazolin-4-ones:: synthesis of deoxyvasicinone, mackinazolinone, luotonin A, rutaecarpine and tryptanthrin

Alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl and acyl radicals have been cyclised onto the 2-position of 3H-quinazolin-4-one. The side chains containing the radical precursors were attached to the nitrogen atom in the 3-position. The cyclisations take place by aromatic homolytic substitution hence retain the aromaticity of the 3H-quinazolin-4-one ring. The highest yields were obtained using hexamethylditin to facilitate cyclisation rather than reduction without cyclisation. The alkaloids deoxyvasicinone 2, mackinazolinone 3, tryptanthrin 4, luotonin A 5 and rutaecarpine 8 were synthesised by radical cyclisation onto 3H-quinazolin-4-one.