Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of benzimidazoles and quinazolinones from common precursors.

N-(o-Halophenyl)imidoyl chlorides and the corresponding imidates are easily prepared and can be utilized as complementary precursors for the synthesis of important heterocycles. The synthesis of N-substituted benzimidazoles was possible from the palladium-catalyzed reaction of both classes of substrate with a variety of N-nucleophiles. The use of the imidate precursor for the synthesis of N-substituted quinazolinones by incorporation of a palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation reaction has also been demonstrated. Both processes tolerate a wide range of functional groups.