An efficient and mechanistically interesting method for the synthesis of highly substituted isoquinolines by a Rh(III)-catalyzed hydrazone directed ortho C H bond activation and annulation without an external oxidant is described. This reaction is accomplished via a C-C and C-N bond formation along with N-N bond cleavage.
Newkome; Fishel, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 1966, vol. 31, p. 677,678