A practical one-pot procedure for the synthesis of N-H isoquinolones

A practical one-pot procedure for the preparation of N-H isoquinolones has been developed. This 2-step process via C-H activation of N-alkoxyl benzamides and NaH-mediated dealkoxylation reaction has been demonstrated to be a high yielding alternative methodology for the efficient synthesis of a wide range of representative N-H isoquiolones. In addition, the experimental precedent supported mechanism of the dealkoxylation reaction was also proposed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.