The reaction of 3-(2-cyanophenyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one with various primary alkylamines gave 3-alkylquinazolin-4(3H)-ones via an addition of the nucleophile, ring opening, and ring closure (ANRORC) mechanism. This type of reaction required hydroxy group functionality in either the solvent or reagent. When hydroxylamine was used as nitrogen nucleophile, the intermediate of this reaction was isolated