Photochemical synthesis of 2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-ones via the reaction of acylsilanes with 2-cyano-anilines.

Herein, we report a visible-light-mediated, transition-metal-free strategy for the synthesis of E-configured bi-aryl imines and 2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-ones via insertion of siloxycarbenes, generated in situ from acylsilanes, into aniline N-H bonds. This operationally simple C-N bond formation transformation proceeds under mild, oxidant-free conditions and exhibits broad compatibility with both aromatic acylsilanes and diverse 2-cyano-anilines. In addition, under basic conditions, the reaction can further be directed toward the efficient construction of complex quinazolinone frameworks.