Disclosed herein is an expedient synthesis of biologically important isoindolinone derivatives from reactions of 2-formylbenzoic acids with various amines. This method operates via a deliberately designed catalyst-free tandem reductive amination/cyclization cascade event triggered by a transfer hydrogenation process with easily available Hantzsch ester as the organic hydride source. The ease of operation
Exploration of Moderate Conditions and Substrate Variation in the Direct Condensation between Phthalide and Primary Amine Catalyzed by GaCl3. Are Aliphatic Amines Less Reactive than Aromatic Ones?