Lithiation of 3-(acylammo)-2-unsubstituted-, 3-(acylamino)-2-ethyl-, and 3-(acylamino)-2-propyl-4(3H)-quinazolinones: Convenient syntheses of more complex quinazolinones

3-(Pivaloylamino)- and 3-(acetylamino)-4(3H)-quinazolinones react with alkyllithium reagents to give 1,2-addition products in very good yields. Lithiation takes place with LDA and is regioselective at position 2. The lithium reagents thus obtained react with a variety of electrophiles to give the corresponding substituted derivatives in very good yields. Reactions of the lithium reagents with iodine give oxidatively dimerized cyclic structures. 3-(Pivaloylamino)- and 3-(acetylamino)-2-ethyl-4(3H)-quinazolinones and 3-(pivaloylamino)- and 3-(acetylamino)-2-propyl-4(3H)-quinazolinones are lithiated at the benzylic position with LDA. The lithium reagents so produced also react with a variety of electrophiles to give the corresponding 2-substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinone derivatives in very good yields. However, lithiation of 3-(acylamino)-2-(1-methylethyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinones was unsuccessful, as were lithiations of compounds having a diacetylamino group at position 3. The amide groups have been cleaved in good yield under basic or acidic conditions from some of the products to provide access to the free amino compounds.