Lewis-acid-promoted cyclization reaction: synthesis of N3-chloroethyl and N3-thiocyanatoethyl quinazolinones

A Lewis-acid-promoted cyclization reaction of benzoyl chlorides with 2-(4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)anilines, which can offer a series of N3-chloroethyl quinazolinones, is disclosed. The reaction is compatible with the functional groups of the substrates; environment-friendly AlCl3 is probably the chloride source. Moreover, the addition of NH4SCN can also produce a range of N3-thiocyanatoethyl quinazolinones in moderate-to-good yields.