One‐pot synthesis of quinazolinones and quinazolines under visible light via decarboxylation of α‐hydroxy acids

Abstract A novel method for the synthesis of quinazolinones was developed via the decarboxylation of α‐hydroxyl acids induced by visible light. Under blue LED irradiation, mandelic acid was decarboxylated in the presence of [Acr‐Mes] + (ClO 4 ) − . Using α‐hydroxyl acids as an acyl source, a condensation reaction was followed by cyclization and oxidization to obtain the target product quinazolinone. In addition, this synthetic route can be applied to the preparation of quinazolines from 2‐aminobenzylamine. The conversion can occur at room temperature under air conditions without additives.