Efficient and convenient synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinazoline derivatives with the aid of tin(II) chloride.

An efficient, convenient, one-pot synthesis of 2,3,3a,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinazolin-5(1H)-one and 2,3,3a,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinazoline-1,5-dione was accomplished in good yields via the novel reductive cyclization of 2-nitrobenzamides with haloketones or keto acids mediated by SnCl(2).2H(2)O system. A variety of substrates can participate in the process with good yields, making this methodology suitable for library synthesis in drug discovery efforts.