Iridium-Catalyzed C–H Amination/Cyclization for Medium to Large N-Heterocycle-Fused Dihydroquinazolinones

A practical iridium-catalyzed cascade/stepwise synthesis of dihydroquinazolinones (DHQs) and bis-DHQs fused to medium to large N-heterocyclic rings is developed. The reaction undergoes benzamide-directed intermolecular C-H amination with an aldehyde-tethered alkyl azide, and then the newly installed amino group undergoes intramolecular cyclization with a remote aldehyde group present in azide and amidyl group of benzamide either intrinsically or catalyzed by phosphoric acid, facilitating the formation of bicyclic and/or tricyclic rings in a very efficient manner.