Aerobic epoxidation and hydroxylation of a pyrrolo[2,1-b]quinazoline under ambient conditions

A pyrrolo[2,1-b]quinazoline has been found to undergo both epoxidation and hydroxylation on the pyrrole nucleus upon simple exposure of an acetone solution to air or oxygen. The oxygenation reaction occurs most readily when the starting compound contains a t-butyl ester at the 3-position, compared to a cyano or phenylsulfonyl. The structure of the product has been confirmed by X-ray crystal analysis.