DECARBOXYLATION OF PHTHALIDECARBOXYLIC ACIDS IN THE PRESENCE OF IMINES - A FACILE ROUTE TO ISOINDOLOBENZAZEPIN-5-ONES AND PHTHALIDEISOQUINOLINES

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)85413-1

In aprotic solvents, or in the absence of any solvent, phthalidecarboxylic acids decarboxylate in the presence of imines at 130^o to form 3-alkyl-3-hydroxyisoindolones or their dehydration products.In acetic anhydride as solvent the products obtained are acetylated aminoalkylphthalides.The reactions are used to synthesise isoindolo<1,2-b><3>benzazepin-5-ones and phthalideisoquinoline alkaloids.