Rhodium catalyzed multicomponent dehydrogenative annulation: one-step construction of isoindole derivatives

A strategy for one-pot synthesis of isoindoles is described via a catalytic multicomponent dehydrogenative annulation of diarylimines, vinyl ketones and simple amines. In the presence of a rhodium catalyst and Cu oxidant, four C–H and two N–H bonds are activated along with the formation of one new C–C and two new C–N bonds, leading to a series of isoindole derivatives in good to very high isolated yields.