Platinum(II)-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of alkynylbenzonitriles: synthesis of 1-alkoxyisoquinolines and isoquinolones

A facile synthesis of a series of 1-alkoxyisoquinolines and (2H)-isoquinolones by an intramolecular 6-endo-dig cyclization of ortho-alkynylbenzonitriles in the presence of a catalytic amount of hydrido(dimethylphosphinous acid-κP)[hydrogen bis(dimethylphosphinito-κP)]platinum(II) in various alcohols at 65–90 °C is described for the first time.