Herein we describe the first asymmetric organocatalytic synthesis of 3-substituted isoindolinones in a convenient aldolcyclization- rearrangement tandem reaction of malonates with 2- 15 cyanobenzaldehyde. Bifunctional thiourea-cinchona catalysts proved to be particularly effective, giving the title compounds in high yields and moderate to good enantiomeric excesses. Moreover an efficient process of reverse crystallization led to a further enrichment up to >99% ee

An efficient potassium carbonate-catalyzed synthesis of 3- substituted isoindolinones through tandem aldol/cyclization reactions of active methylene compounds with 2-cyanobenzaldehyde is described. The utility of the obtained isoindolinones has been demonstrated through an exploration of the chemical space by employing a series of interesting methodologies that led to diverse, highly functionalized compounds. Among them, a surprisingly straightforward potassium carbonate-catalyzed double tandem reaction led to tricyclic hemiaminal derivatives

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