Aerobic oxidative cyclization of benzamides via meta-selective C-H tert-alkylation: rapid entry to 7-alkylated isoquinolinediones

A novel copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization of benzamides via meta-selective C-H tert-alkylation using AIBN and analogues as radical precursors was described. This strategy provides an elusive and rapid means to 7-tert-alkylated isoquinolinediones, as well as the construction of tertiary alkyl-aryl C(sp(3))-C(sp(2)) bonds with positional selectivity.