An Aldehyde-Driven, Fe(0)-Mediated, One-Pot Reductive Cyclization: Direct Access to 5,6-Dihydro-quinazolino[4,3- b]quinazolin-8-ones and Photophysical Study

J Org Chem. 2023 Aug 4;88(15):10701-10710. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c00766. Epub 2023 Jul 20.

Abstract

A short, proficient, and regioselective synthesis of biheterocyclic 5,6-dihydro-quinazolino[4,3-b]quinazolin-8-ones has been revealed via an Fe(0)-powder-mediated, one-pot reductive cyclization protocol. Mechanistic investigation proved that water acts as a source of hydrogen for the reduction of the nitro group and the reaction rate was accelerated by an aldehyde. The designed transformation works under aerobic conditions, providing a series of bio-inspired molecular scaffolds. In addition, the photophysical study showed blue fluorescence emission with a good fluorescence quantum yield.