A novel and efficient synthesis of a variety of isoindolinones and tetrahydroisoquinolines via a Lewis acid catalyzed domino Mukaiyama-Mannich lactamization/alkylation is achieved. This transformation comprises a sequential formation of three new bonds through a one-pot, three-component procedure to afford product in moderate to high yields. A concise synthesis of (±)-homolaudanosine (2b) has been achieved using this method.

An unprecedented highly efficient Lewis acid catalyzed one-pot cascade has been demonstrated as a general catalytic system for the synthesis of diversely substituted isoindolinones and tetrahydroisoquinolines. The cascade effects one C-C and two C-N bond-forming events in one pot. Several interesting transformations of the products into valuable synthetic intermediates are featured with the successful total synthesis of (±)-crispine A.

An organocatalytic direct Mannich-lactamization sequence for the syntheses of pharmacologically important enantioenriched isoindolinones is reported. The method utilizes simple α-amino acids to deliver syn- and anti- selective isoindolinones with remarkably high enantioselectivity (up to >99% ee) in good to excellent yields and diastereomeric ratios. The overall sequence involves one C-C and two C-N bond forming events in one pot starting from inexpensive starting material.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

A one-pot, three-component synthesis of widely substituted isoindolinones and isoquinolinones, featuring a Lewis acid-catalyzed efficient Strecker reaction and lactamization sequence, affording products in good to high yields is reported. The method has also been extended to the synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) in high yields.