Copper‐Catalyzed Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Coupling of 2‐Aminoaryl Methanols with Nitriles for Accessing Quinazolines and Quinolines

Abstract A copper acetate monohydrate catalyzed simple, effective and economic protocol has been developed for the construction of quinazoline derivatives via acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling of easily available 2‐aminoaryl methanols and nitriles. The methodology was also highly effective for the synthesis of medicinally important quinolines analogues. The reactions proceeded in presence of KO t Bu in toluene at 110 °C for 5 h without the requirement of inert condition, external additives and ligands.