Acceptorless dehydrogenative condensation of o-aminobenzamides with aldehydes to quinazolinones in water catalyzed by a watersoluble iridium complex [Cp*Ir(H2O)3][OTf]2

A general and efficient method for the synthesis of qunazolinones via acceptorless dehydrogenative condensation of o-aminobenzamides with aldehydes in water has been accomplished. In the presence of [Cp*Ir(H2O)(3)][OTf](2), a variety of desirable products were obtained in high yields with high atom economy under environmentally benign conditions. Notably, this research will facilitate the progress of acceptorless dehydrogenative reactions in water catalyzed by water-soluble organometallic complexes.