A practical one-pot procedure for the synthesis of N–H isoquinolones

A practical one-pot procedure for the preparation of N–H isoquinolones has been developed. This 2-step process via C–H activation of N-alkoxyl benzamides and NaH-mediated dealkoxylation reaction has been demonstrated to be a high yielding alternative methodology for the efficient synthesis of a wide range of representative N–H isoquiolones. In addition, the experimental precedent supported mechanism of the dealkoxylation reaction was also proposed.