Efficient syntheses of 3-hydroxyimino-1-isoindolinones and 3-methylene-1-isoindolinones via Cu-promoted C-H activation-nitroalkylation-intramolecular cyclization tandem processes

Efficient and selective syntheses of 3-hydroxyimino-1-isoindolinones and 3-methylene-1-isoindolinones were achieved via 8-aminoquinoline assisted Cu-promoted coupling of benzamides with nitroalkanes. The reaction was found to go through C-H activation, nitroalkylation followed by intramolecular cyclization. 3-Hydroxyimino-1-isoindolinones were obtained with nitromethane whereas 3-methylene-1-isoindolinones were produced with higher nitroalkanes.