Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Catalyzed Condensation Reaction of Isocoumarins and 1,7-Heptadiamine in the Formation of Bis-Isoquinolinones

The diversified bis-isoquinolinones were obtained in two steps, utilizing homophthalic acid and various acid chlorides providing 3-substituted isocoumarins in the first step which on further condensation with 1,7-heptadiamine involving C-N bond formation from the lactone in the presence of 10mol% zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) (<150 nm) afforded the desired bis-isoquinolinones in high yield and purity. The synthesized compounds were then characterized using FTIR, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, and HRMS techniques.