A synthesis of N-(2-nitrobenzyl) acetanilide (5) and (11) from 2-nitrobenza
ldehyde and aromatic amines is reported. The reaction of amides (5) and (11
) with iron in acetic acid-ethanol-water provided the corresponding 3-pheny
l-pi 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinazolines (7) and (12). Reductive cyclization of
1-acetyl-2-(2-nitrophenyl) -benzimidazol (16) to benzimidazo[1,2-c]quinazol
ine (19) and benzimidazol (20) is described.