Synthesis of <i>N</i>-substituted phthalimides <i>via</i> Pd-catalyzed [4+1] cycloaddition reaction

Abstract

A novel Pd-catalyzed assembly of <i>N</i>-substituted phthalimides by merging of [4+1] cycloaddition and difluorocarbene transfer carbonylation from 2-iodo-<i>N</i>-phenylbenzamides and difluorocarbene precursors is disclosed. Difluorocarbene acts as a carbonyl source and simultaneously forms one C-C bond, one C-N bond and one CO bond to produce <i>N</i>-substituted phthalimides in high yields.