Ruthenium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Macrocyclic Isoquinolines and Isoquinolones via a C-H/N-H Annulations Reaction

An Ru(II)-catalyzed C-H annulations of oximes and N-methoxybenzamides with bridged alkyne is described. This method is useful for the efficient synthesis of various macrocyclic isoquinolines and isoquinolones in good to moderate yields. A possible mechanism, involving a key five-membered metallacycle intermediate, alkyne insertion followed by reductive elimination to give a final annulated product has been proposed.

Automated summary

A Ru(II)-catalyzed C-H annulations of oximes and N-methoxybenzamides with bridged alkyne is reported, which allows for the efficient synthesis of various macrocyclic isoquinolines and isoquinolones in good to moderate yields. A proposed mechanism involves a key five-membered metallacycle intermediate, alkyne insertion followed by reductive elimination to give the annulated product.