N -Isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane (Ph 3 PNNC) as a metal-free catalyst for the synthesis of functionalized isoindoline-1-ones

A series of substituted isoindolin-1-one ring systems has been successfully synthesized through a novel and efficient multicomponent reaction of methyl 2-formylbenzoate and primary amines in the presence of N -isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane (Ph 3 PNNC) as a catalyst. This one-pot three component reaction (3-CR) gives high yield using N -isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane (Ph 3 PNNC) as a metal-free catalyst under mild conditions.