Electrochemical Phosphoric Acid Catalysis for the Synthesis of Quinazolinones from Aromatic Aldehydes or Alcohols

An electrochemical/phosphoric acid catalytic approach for the synthesis of various structurally significant quinazolinones from aromatic aldehydes or benzyl alcohols is described. This environmentally friendly method proceeds via a phosphoric acid catalyzed cyclization reaction combined with direct anodic oxidative aromatization, without the use of any external oxidants or transition metal catalysts. The potential synthetic utility of this strategy is further demonstrated by gram-scale synthesis..