Rhodium(III)-catalyzed selective access to isoindolinones via formal [4 + 1] annulation of arylamides and propargyl alcohols

A mild and efficient oxidative synthesis of isoindolinones has been realized by Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation of benzamides and [4 + 1] coupling with propargyl alcohols. This coupling system proceeds with broad substrate scope and mild conditions and provides a new approach to access the useful skeleton of γ-lactams with a stereogenic center.