New general synthesis of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine and benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]quinazoline derivatives

The reactions of benzene-1,2-diamine with 5-substituted 2-(alkylsulfanyl)-4-methylpyrimidin-6(1H)-ones and 2-(propylsulfanyl)- and 5-iodo-2-(propylsulfanyl)-3,4-dihydroquinazolines at 175–185°C under solvent-free conditions unexpectedly afforded benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine, benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]-quinazoline, and 2,2′-(benzene-1,2-diyldiimino)bis[pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones]. The described reaction is the first example of synthesis of these heterocyclic systems by fusion of benzimidazole to pyrimidine or quinazoline and is likely to follow ANRORC mechanism.