Synthesis of 3-(arylmethylene)isoindolin-1-ones from ynamides by Heck-Suzuki-Miyaura domino reactions. Application to the synthesis of lennoxamine

Substituted 3-(arylmethylene)isoindolin-1-ones can be efficiently synthesized from various ynamides and boronic acids by palladium-catalyzed Heck-Suzuki-Miyaura domino reactions. This methodology has been applied to the total synthesis of lennoxamine and a concise route to this isoindolobenzazepine alkaloid was achieved in eight steps from 2,3-dimethoxybenzoic acid via a key intermediate ynamide. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.