Direct synthesis of phthalimides palladium-catalysed double carbonylation of -dihaloarenes with nitroarenes.

The direct carbonylation of readily available nitro compounds is more attractive and straightforward than the use of traditional amines as nucleophiles. Herein, a practical palladium-catalysed double carbonylation of nitroarenes with -dihaloarenes has been developed for the construction of various -aryl phthalimides. Key to the success of this transformation is the use of Mo(CO), which acts as both a reducing agent and a solid carbonyl source. A wide range of nitroarenes and -dihaloarenes as well as -iodobenzoic acids reacted smoothly to give phthalimides in 27-94% yields.