The first asymmetric synthesis of 3-aryl substituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-ones via a tandem nucleophilic 1,2-addition ring closure procedure from SAMP and (or) RAMP hydrazones and subsequent oxidative cleavage of the auxiliary is reported.Key words: isoindolinones, asymmetric synthesis, hydrazones, 1,2-addition, NN bond cleavage.