Carbon monoxide-free one-step synthesis of isoindole-1,3-diones by cycloaminocarbonylation of o-haloarenes using formamides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ejoc.201101000

A new carbon monoxide-free, solvent-free, single step protocol for the synthesis of isoindole-1,3-diones from o-haloarenes using palladium acetate and xantphos catalysis is reported. The wider applicability of this protocol for several types of o-iodoarenes and a few o-bromoarenes makes it attractive. Aryl iodides and aryl bromides provided moderate to excellent yields of up to 93 %.