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, 3 H ‐quinazolin‐4‐ones and 4 H ‐3,1‐benzoxazin‐4‐ones including mecloqualone and etaqualone which are important quinazolinone‐based drugs used for the treatment of insomnia in good yields.