A direct anionic cyclization of 2-alkynylbenzonitrile to 3- substituted-1(2H)-isoquinolones and 3-benzylideneisoindol-2ones initiated by methoxide addition

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(99)00812-1

Treatment of 2-(2-alkylethynyl)benzonitrile with sodium methoxide in refluxing methanol for 12 h gave 3-alkyl-1(2H)- isoquinolone in modest yield. Under the same reaction conditions, methanolysis of 2-(2-arylethynyl)benzonitrile lead to the formation of 3