Cobalt-catalyzed carbonylation of N-alkylbenzaldimines to 'N-alkylphthalimidines' (=2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-ones) via tandem C-H activation and cyclocarbonylation

The reaction of N-alkylbenzaldimines with carbon monoxide (CO) in the presence of cobalt (Co) catalysts resulted in the formation of N-alkylphthalimidines (Table 1). Their formation is proposed to occur by C-H activation of the aryl ring, migratory insertion of the hydride species into the benzaldimine functionality, CO coordination, and insertion into the Co-C bond, followed by reductive elimination of the N-alkylphthalimidine and regeneration of the starting Co species (Scheme 4). Deuterium (²H)-labeling NMR studies are consistent with this mechanism (Scheme 5).