Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of quinazolines: Silane act as better nucleophile than amidine

•A palladium-catalyzed reductive carbonylation reaction has been developed for the synthesis of quinazolines.•Quinazolines were obtained in moderate to good yields from N-(2-iodophenyl)benzimidamide.•Silane act as better nucleophile than amine. A palladium-catalyzed reductive carbonylation reaction has been developed for the synthesis of quinazolines. With N-(2-iodophenyl)benzimidamide as starting materials, a series of quinazolines were obtained through the aromatic aldehyde intermediates in moderate to good yields with good functional group compatibilities. In this system, silane act as better nucleophile than amidine. [Display omitted]