A metal-free method for the construction of 3,3-dimethyl isoindolinones via radical-mediated
intramolecular coupling of two C–H bonds of N,N-diisopropyl benzamides was developed. The reactions can proceed in moderate to high
yield and with excellent chemoselectivity. A reaction sequence of the formation of
an alkyl radical via oxidative cleavage of alkyl C–H bond and the formation of lactam
ring via intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution was proposed.
Key words
C–H activation - isoindolinone - homolytic aromatic substitution - alkyl radical -
benzamide