Synthesis of 2,4-dihydroxyquinazolines using carbon dioxide in the presence of DBU under mild conditions

Chemical fixation of carbon dioxide was performed under mild conditions. Carbon dioxide (1 atm) easily reacted with 2-aminobenzonitriles at 20°C, assisted by DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene) to give 2,4-dihydroxyquinazolines in excellent yields.