Efficient PhB(OH)2-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 3-substituted isoindolin-1-ones and isobenzofuran-1(3H)-ones under solvent free conditions

An efficient and practical one-pot synthesis of 3-substituted isoindolin-1-ones and isobenzofuran-1(3H)-ones has been developed under solvent free-conditions using non-toxic and cheap phenylboronic acid as excellent catalyst. This strategy involves the sequential two-step Mannich/lactamization cascade reaction of inexpensive 2-formylbenzoic acid with primary amines and a wide variety of ketones, and an aldol/lactonization cascade reaction of 2-formylbenzoic acid with a broad range of ketones.