10.1002/adsc.200900368
The research focuses on the competition between C-H activation and Heck reactions in the synthesis of pyrroloisoquinolines and isoindoles using 2-alkenylsubstituted o-iodobenzylpyrroles as substrates. The experiments involve the selection of appropriate catalytic systems to direct the intramolecular palladium-catalyzed reaction towards either the pyrrole ring or the alkene, with the aim of controlling chemoselectivity. Various palladium sources, ligands, and additives were tested to optimize reaction conditions. Reactants included N-(o-iodobenzyl)pyrroles with different substitution patterns on the alkene, which were synthesized via Wittig reactions or DIBALH reduction. Analyses used to characterize the products and monitor the reactions included TLC, NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and HR-MS, allowing for the identification of pyrroloisoindoles and pyrroloisoquinolines formed through direct arylation or MH cyclizations, respectively.