N-Isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane (Ph3PNNC) as a metal-free catalyst for the synthesis of functionalized isoindoline-1-ones

A novel application in the field of N-isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane (Ph₃PNNC) chemistry has been introduced in this work. A series of substituted isoindolin-1-one ring systems has been successfully synthesized through a novel and efficient multicomponent reaction of methyl 2-formylbenzoate and primary amines in the presence of N-isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane (Ph₃PNNC) as a catalyst. This one-pot three component reaction (3-CR) gives high yield using N-isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane (Ph₃PNNC) as a metal-free catalyst under mild conditions.