Isoquinoline Synthesis via Rhodium-Catalyzed Oxidative Cross-Coupling/Cyclization of Aryl Aldimines and Alkynes

A general. rhodium-catalyzed oxidative coupling reaction between internal alkynes and aryl aldimines is described. This process affords 3,4-disubstituted isoquinolines in good yield and high regioselectivity. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the C-N bond formation arises from the reductive elimination of a rhodium(III) species.