BF3·OEt2-promoted reaction of isocyanides with o-aminobenzophenones

Aliphatic isocyanides react with o-aminobenzophenones in dichloromethane under Lewis acid catalysis at ambient temperature to give, unexpectedly, 4-aryl-4-hydroxy-3,4-dihydroquinazolines in good to excellent yields. The outcome of the reaction is rationalized by a skeletal rearrangement of the initially formed ‘intramolecular Passerini’ reaction products, 2-amino-3-hydroxy-3-aryl-3H-indoles.