Diastereoselective one-pot tandem synthesis of 3-substituted isoindolinones: a mechanistic investigation.

The mechanism of a base-catalyzed one-pot reaction of 2-cyanobenzaldehyde and primary nitroalkanes, to produce 3-substituted isoindolinones, has been investigated. A route starting with a nitroaldol (Henry) reaction, followed by a subsequent cyclization and rearrangement, was supported by intermediate analogue synthesis and DFT calculations. Direct diastereoselective crystallization from the reaction mixture was also achieved and studied for a number of substrates. Furthermore, the 3-substituted isoindolinones are an interesting group of compounds, both present important natural products, as well as being precursors to other valuable building blocks.