Manganese-catalyzed dehydrogenative [4+2] annulation of N-H imines and alkynes by C-H/N-H activation.

Described herein is a manganese-catalyzed dehydrogenative [4+2] annulation of NH imines and alkynes, a reaction providing highly atom-economical access to diverse isoquinolines. This transformation represents the first example of manganese-catalyzed CH activation of imines; the stoichiometric variant of the cyclomanganation was reported in 1971. The redox neutral reaction produces H2 as the major byproduct and eliminates the need for any oxidants, external ligands, or additives, thus standing out from known isoquinoline synthesis by transition-metal-catalyzed CH activation. Mechanistic studies revealed the five-membered manganacycle and manganese hydride species as key reaction intermediates in the catalytic cycle.