Synthesis of 5H-imidazo[5,1-a]isoindole: Photocyclization of N,N′ -bis(o-chlorobenzyl)imidazolium chloride and N-(o-chlorobenzyl)imidazole

A N-heterocyclic compound containing two hetero atoms, imidazo[5,1-a]isoindole, was synthesized in 40% yield by the intramolecular photocyclization of N,N'-bis(o-chlorobenzyl)imidazolium salts 1 in water (neutral or pH ～4) or of N-(o-chlorobenzyl)imidazole 2 , in aqueous acid (pH ?4). However, the photocyclized compound 3 was not formed effectively in basic aqueous solution (3 equivalents of sodium hydroxide or pyridine) or in acetonitrile by the photochemical reaction of N,N'-bis(o-chlorobenzyl)imidazolium salts 1 or N-(o-chlorobenzyl)imidazole (2).