Metal and phosgene-free synthesis of 1H-quinazoline-2,4-diones by selenium-catalyzed carbonylation of o-nitrobenzamides

1H-Quinazoline-2,4-diones were efficiently synthesized by selenium-catalyzed carbonylation of o-nitrobenzamides under relatively mild conditions. In situ-generated carbonyl selenide (SeCO) is proposed to initiate the catalytic carbonylation. Thus, a concise transition metal and phosgene-free synthetic route to potentially bioactive-substituted 1H-quinazoline-2,4-dione derivatives has been developed.