An alternative synthesis of the non-small cell lung carcinoma drug afatinib

•The alternative synthesis of afatinib (BIBW2992) is presented.•The work is presenting a new route with good yield that could be suitable for industrial use.•Ullmann-Goldberg reaction for CN coupling on position 6 of quinazoline.•The synthesis provides direct access to afatinib analogues of and similar quinazoline type of kinase inhibitors.