I-Catalyzed Oxidative Cross-Coupling Reaction of Methyl Ketones and 2-(2-Aminophenyl) Benzimidazole: Facile Access to Benzimidazo[1,2-]quinazoline.

A general and efficient iodine-catalyzed metal-free oxidative cross-coupling reaction of methyl ketones with 2-(1-benzo[]imidazol-2-yl)aniline has been established. This is a new synthetic strategy for the synthesis of benzimidazo[1,2-]quinazoline derivatives involving C(sp)-H oxidation, condensation, and cyclization processes.