Catalytic deoxygenation of organic compounds by carbon monoxide: III. The reaction under pressure of aromatic nitro compounds in the presence of o-phthalaldehyde

The reaction of o-phthalaldehyde with several aromatic nitro compounds in the presence of carbon monoxide and catalytic quantities of hexarhodium-hexadecacarbonyl eventuated in the formation of the corresponding N-substituted isoindolinone as the major product. A reaction mechanism has been suggested incorporating deoxygenation of the nitro compound by carbon monoxide to a nitrene intermediate and the subsequent interception of the latter by o-phthalaldehyde.