Synlett 2010(7): 1075-1080  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1219580
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Synthesis of N-Arylisoindolin-1-ones via Pd-Catalyzed Intramolecular Decarbonylative Coupling of N-(2-Bromobenzyl)oxanilic Acid Phenyl Esters

Yu Zhenga, Gongli Yua, Jinlong Wua, Wei-Min Dai*a,b
a Laboratory of Asymmetric Catalysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. of China
Fax: +86(571)87953128; e-Mail: chdai@zju.edu.cn;
b Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. of China
Fax: +85223581594; e-Mail: chdai@ust.hk;
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Received 23 December 2009
Publikationsdatum:
10. März 2010 (online)

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Abstract

Ethyl and phenyl oxanilates were readily prepared from N-(2-bromobenzyl)anilines and oxalyl chloride monoethyl and monophenyl esters, respectively. It was found that the ethyl oxanilate survived in the presence of K2CO3 in DMA at 120 ˚C and underwent an intramolecular direct arylation using Pd(OAc)2-dppf, furnishing the 5,6-dihydrophenanthridine derivative. In contrast, the corresponding phenyl oxanilates decomposed upon exposure to K2CO3 in DMA at 120 ˚C and were transformed into N-arylisoindolin-1-ones via Pd(OAc)2-dppf-catalyzed intramolecular decarbonylative coupling. Except for the 4-methoxy-substituted oxanilic acid phenyl ester, other phenyl oxanilates possessing electron-withdrawing (NO2, Cl) and weak electron-donating (Me) substituents provided the N-arylisoindolin-1-ones in 43-80% yields.