Transition metal free intramolecular selective oxidative C(sp³)–N coupling: synthesis of N-aryl-isoindolinones from 2-alkylbenzamides

A synthetic method has been developed for the preparation of biologically important isoindolinones including indoprofen and DWP205190 drugs from 2-alkylbenzamide substrates by transition metal-free intramolecular selective oxidative coupling of C(sp(3))-H and N-H bonds utilizing iodine, potassium carbonate and di-tert-butyl peroxide in acetonitrile at 110-140 °C.