CuI-catalyzed synthesis of (benzo)imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolinone derivatives via successive α-arylation, deacylation and benzyl automatic oxidation.

The benzyl position was found to be automatically oxidized by oxygen in the reaction of 2-(2-bromophenyl)-1 H -imidazole and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds catalyzed CuI. This domino procedure involved the subsequent α -arylation, deacylation, nucleophilic addition and benzyl automatic oxidation, and provided an efficient method for the synthesis of (benzo)imidazo[2,1- a isoquinolinone derivatives in good yields. The benzyl position was found to be automatically oxidized by oxygen in the reaction of 2-(2-bromophenyl)-1 H -imidazole and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds catalyzed CuI. This domino procedure involved the subsequent α -arylation, deacylation, nucleophilic addition and benzyl automatic oxidation, and provided an efficient method for the synthesis of (benzo)imidazo[2,1- a isoquinolinone derivatives in good yields. Image 1 • It is an a -arylation and deacylation promoted by a catalyst of CuI without additional ligand. • The benzyl position was found to be automatically oxidized by oxygen. • It is an efficient method to build imidazo[2,1-<span data-format="italic">a</span>]isoquinolinones in good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]