Direct Synthesis of Quinazolines through Copper-Catalyzed Reaction of Aniline-Derived Benzamidines

A novel synthesis of 2-phenyl-4-[(triisopropylsilyl)methyl]quinazolines from monosubstituted arenes has been developed. Treatment of N-phenylbenzamidines with 5-nitro-1-[(triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl]-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one and K₂CO₃ in the presence of a catalytic amount of CuBr in benzene gives 2-phenyl-4-[(triisopropylsilyl)methyl]quinazolines in moderate to good yields.