Synthesis of isoquinolin-1,4-diones via photocatalytic C(sp2)–C(sp3)-scission/oxidation of 4-(hydroxy(aryl)methyl)-isoquinolin-1(2H)-ones

Abstract

Dihydroisoquinolin-1,4-diones represent an important class of nitrogen-containing fused heterocyclic units. Their straightforward synthesis from readily available precursors would be attractive. Herein, we present a novel photocatalytic method enabling the direct synthesis of diverse 3-methoxy-2,3-dihydroisoquinoline-1,4-diones from 4-(hydroxy(aryl)methyl)-isoquinolin-1(2H)-ones. The method demonstrates high functional group tolerance, enabling further synthetic transformations for isoquinoline-1,4-diones containing C3 quaternary carbon centers.