MOF-Derived Nanocobalt for Oxidative Functionalization of Cyclic Amines to Quinazolinones with 2-Aminoarylmethanols

By employing a MOF-templated method, we have developed a highly dipersed and ultralow loading cobalt nanocatalyst, which has been applied in the oxidative functionalization of easily available cyclic amines with 2-aminoarylmethanols to ring-fused quinazolinones, the core structures of numerous valuable products. The developed catalytic transformation proceeds with the merits of broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance and chemoselectivity, high step- and atom-efficiency, and use of the naturally abundant Co/O2 system, which offers a practical way for the preparation of quinazolinones with structural diversity. The work presented has built an important basis for direct conversion of cyclic amine motifs into functional frameworks.