A rapid, one-pot, catalyst-free approach to novel benzofuran-fused pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidines with good antitumor activities via a cascade SNAr/cyclization/condensation reaction through 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)acetonitriles and 4,6-dichloropyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde was developed.
![Graphical abstract: Catalyst-free synthesis of benzofuran-fused pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidines from 2-(2-hydroxyaryl)acetonitrile and 4,6-dichloropyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde through domino condensation reactions](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C3RA44828B.jpg)