Selective Oxidative Cleavage of 3-Methylindoles with Primary Amines Affording Quinazolinones.

A selective functionalization of C-C horizontal lineC bonds toward N-C horizontal lineO bonds is realized by an n-Bu4NI-catalyzed reaction of 3-methylindoles with primary amines using TBHP as the unique oxidant. The systematic process involves oxygenation, nitrogenation, ring-opening, and recyclization, affording a broad range of quinazolinones in good to excellent yields.