Lewis acid-catalyzed 2-arylquinazoline formation from N′-arylbenzimidamides and paraformaldehydeElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6gc02319c

An efficient procedure for the synthesis of 2-arylquinazolines from N ′-arylbenzimidamides has been developed under transition-metal-free conditions. In this process, stable and low-toxicity paraformaldehyde was used as the carbon source. A broad range of functional groups were well tolerated in this reaction system. An efficient procedure for the synthesis of 2-arylquinazolines from N ′-arylbenzimidamides has been developed under transition-metal-free conditions.