Synthesis of isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione derivatives via cascade reactions of N-alkyl-N-methacryloyl benzamide with aryl aldehydesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4ob01442a

A cascade reaction between N -alkyl- N -methacryloylbenzamide and aryl aldehydes was developed to generate isoquinoline-1,3(2 H ,4 H )-dione derivatives. The reaction involves oxidative cross-coupling of the activated alkene from the N -alkyl- N -methacryloylbenzamide with the aldehyde functional group (-CHO), followed by radical addition to the aromatic ring to afford isoquinoline-1,3(2 H ,4 H )-dione derivatives in good yields under mild reaction conditions without either metal catalysts or organic solvents involved. A cascade reaction between N -alkyl- N -methacryloylbenzamide and aryl aldehydes was developed to generate isoquinoline-1,3(2 H ,4 H )-dione derivatives.