Three-component tandem reactions of (2-arylsulfanyl-3-aryl-2-oxiranyl)(aryl)methanones and o-phenylenediamine: formation of quinoxalines

A series of new quinoxalines has been obtained from a one pot, three-component reaction of (2-arylsulfanyl-3-aryl-2-oxiranyl)(aryl)methanones with o-phenylenediamine in the presence of a catalytic amount of acetic acid. This reaction presumably involves a tandem oxirane aminolysis–cyclisation–elimination–air oxidation–condensation sequence.