KOtBu-Catalyzed Synthesis of Isoindole Derivatives from N-Benzyl Amides Bearing an Ortho Alkynyl Group via 1,2-Acyl Shift.

In this study, we present the catalytic conversion of benzylamides featuring an ortho alkynyl moiety into 1-acylisoindole derivatives via a 1,2-acyl shift. Remarkably, this transformation proceeds without the need for transition-metal catalysts; instead, KOtBu alone serves as the catalyst. This method enables the efficient synthesis of isoindoles from easily accessible amides with an atom economy of 100%.