The in situ formed ruthenium catalytic system ([Ru]/L) was found to be highly selective for the dehydrogenative coupling reaction of 2-aminophenyl ketones with amines to form quinazoline products. The deaminative coupling reaction of 2-aminobenzamides with amines led to the efficient formation of quinazolinone products. The catalytic coupling method provides an efficient synthesis of quinazoline and quinazolinone derivatives without using any reactive reagents or forming any toxic byproducts.