Herein, rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/subsequent [4 + 1] cyclization reactions between benzamides and propargyl alcohols are reported in which propargyl alcohols serve as unusual one-carbon units. This title transformation led to a series of isoindolinones bearing a quaternary carbon with moderate to good yields without the requirement for external metal oxidants. Due to the mild and simple reaction conditions, this reaction is compatible with various functional groups.

Alterations of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) play key roles in numerous cancer progression and development, which makes FGFRs attractive targets in the cancer therapy. In the present study, based on a newly devised FGFR target-specific scoring function, a novel FGFR inhibitor hit was identified through virtual screening. Hit-to-lead optimization was then performed by integrating molecular docking and site-of-metabolism predictions with an array of in vitro evaluations and X-ray cocrystal structure determination, leading to a covalent FGFR inhibitor 15, which showed a highly selective and potent FGFR inhibition profile. Pharmacokinetic assessment, protein kinase profiling, and hERG inhibition evaluation were also conducted, and they confirmed the value of 15 as a lead for further investigation. Overall, this study exemplifies the importance of the integrative use of computational methods and experimental techniques in drug discovery.