Regioselective Pd-Catalyzed Aerobic Aza-Wacker Cyclization for Preparation of Isoindolinones and Isoquinolin-1(2H)-ones

A switchable regioselective intramolecular aerobic aza-Wacker cyclization catalyzed by palladium is presented. Isolndollnones or isoquinolin1(2H)-ones could be prepared selectively from the same substrates using different catalysts. The type and steric hindrance of the ligands may be the variables most significant for regiocontrol.