Synthesis of isoindolin-1-one derivatives via multicomponent reactions of methyl 2-formylbenzoate and intramolecular amidation.

Four series of heterocyclic compounds were obtained using Ugi-type multicomponent reactions (MCRs) with methyl 2-formylbenzoate as one of the starting materials. A facile and efficient one-pot procedure was suitable for all the MCRs under acidic conditions. This process provided access to four series of complex and potentially biologically active scaffolds.