Regioselective Pd-catalyzed aerobic aza-Wacker cyclization for preparation of isoindolinones and isoquinolin-1(2H)-ones.

A switchable regioselective intramolecular aerobic aza-Wacker cyclization catalyzed by palladium is presented. Isoindolinones or isoquinolin-1(2H)-ones could be prepared selectively from the same substrates using different catalysts. The type and steric hindrance of the ligands may be the variables most significant for regiocontrol.