A metal-free oxidative radical methylation/arylation of 2-arylbenzoimidazoles with DTBP as the oxidant and methyl radical source was developed. The reaction proceeds through a sequential methyl radical addition/cyclization pathway and affords a series of methyl functionalized benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-6(5H)-ones in moderate to good yields. Besides, the ethylation/arylation of 2-arylbenzoimidazoles was also achieved with DTAP.
![Graphical abstract: Peroxide-mediated synthesis of benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-6(5H)-ones via cascade methylation/ethylation and intramolecular cyclization](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/D0OB02383C.jpg)