An intramolecular N-arylation approach to 3-functionalized 4,9-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-b]quinazolines

A series of 4,9-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-b]quinazolines containing electron withdrawing groups at the 3-position have been prepared by the palladium-catalyzed intramolecular N-arylation of some 2-aminopyrroles having a 2-bromobenzyl group at the N-1 position. Important for success of the reaction is the use of X-phos, a biphenyl mono-phosphine ligand, instead of xantphos, a more standard diphosphine ligand, and the use of t-BuOH as reaction solvent.