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Visible-Light-Induced Deaminative Alkylation/Cyclization of Alkyl


Amines with N‑Methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazoles in
Continuous-Flow Organo-Photocatalysis
Vankudoth Ramesh, Maram Gangadhar, Jagadeesh Babu Nanubolu, and Praveen Reddy Adiyala*
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ABSTRACT: Herein, we present a metal-free visible-light-induced


eosin-y-catalyzed deaminative strategy for the sequential alkyla-
tion/cyclization of N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazoles with
alkyl amine-derived Katritzky salts, which provides an efficient
avenue for the construction of various benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-
a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-one derivatives in moderate to excellent
yields under mild reaction conditions. The key enabling feature
of this novel reaction includes utilization of redox-active
pyridinium salts from abundant and inexpensive primary amine
feedstocks that were converted into alkyl radicals via C−N bond
scission and subsequent alkylation/cyclization with N-methacry-
loyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazoles by the formation of two new C−C
bonds. In addition, we implemented this protocol for a variety of amino acids, affording the products in moderate yields. Moreover,
the novel, environmentally benign batch protocol was further carried out in a continuous-flow regime by utilizing a perfluoroalkoxy
alkane tubing microreactor under optimized reaction conditions with a blue light-emitting diode light source, enabling excellent
yields and a shorter reaction time (19 min) versus the long reaction time (16 h) of the batch reaction. The reaction displays excellent
functional group tolerance, easy operation, scalability, mild reaction conditions, and broad synthetic utility.

■ INTRODUCTION
Alkyl amines are widely abundant, readily available, inex-
As a vital class of structurally diverse polycycles,
benzimidazole-fused isoquinoline core frameworks are im-
pensive, and versatile building blocks found in a large number portant surrogates of pharmacophores and have attracted a
great deal of attention from the synthetic organic chemistry
of organic molecules, biologically active pharmaceuticals, drug
community due to their prevalent biological and therapeutical
molecules, and natural products.1 Remarkable progress has
activities such as antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, and anti-
been made in activating the C−N bond of alkyl amine
HIV-1 properties as well as their potential as functional
derivatives for the creation of carbon−carbon and carbon−
materials.10 Some of the pharmaceutically important surrogates
heteroatom bonds through C−N bond scission.2 However,
and functional materials having benzimidazo-isoquinoline
methods for their activation are still very limited due to high
tetracyclic core skeletons are depicted in Figure 1.
stability and high bond dissociation energy of inactivated C−N
From the past decade, much synthetic effort has been
bonds of alkyl amine derivatives.3 In 2017, Watson and co-
devoted to the construction of structurally diverse benzo[4,5]-
workers demonstrated that Katritzky salts synthesized via a
imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline tetracyclic core skeletons, such as
condensation of the corresponding alkyl amines with a bench-
[4+2] annulation of 2-arylimidazoles and α-diazoketoesters via
stable, commercially available pyrylium salt, were used as Cp*RhIII catalysis,11 decarboxylative radical cascade cycliza-
significant surrogates for the generation of alkyl radical tions,12 palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of
precursors from inactivated C−N bonds.4 The exciting seminal benzimidazoles,13 radical relay functionalizations,14 dehydro-
reports have attracted a great deal of attention from organic genative coupling of 2-[3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl]-
chemists and demonstrated that these redox-activated amines
could be employed as efficient alkyl radical precursors via C−N
bond cleavage, including alkylation,5 alkenylation/alkynyla- Received: July 2, 2021
tion,6 allylation,7 borylation8 and carbonylation reactions.9 Published: September 3, 2021
There is rapidly growing interest in this research area, which
highlights the challenges associated with C−N bond activation
and presents new avenues for forging C(sp3)-hybridized
centers via a deaminative strategy.

© 2021 American Chemical Society https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c01555


12908 J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 12908−12921
The Journal of Organic Chemistry pubs.acs.org/joc Article

Figure 1. Important surrogates of benzimidazo-isoquinoline-containing polyhetereocyclic compounds.

Scheme 1. Background and This Work

aniline derivatives,15 TEMPO-mediated C(sp3)−H amina- inevitable metal residue, harsh reaction conditions, longer
tion,16 fac-Ir(ppy)3- and g-C3N4-catalyzed visible-light-induced reaction times, and limited scale-up potential, which might
radical cascade cyclization,17 TMEDA-catalyzed visible-light- hinder its synthetic application especially in the fields of
induced synthesis of perfluoroalkyl-substituted indolo[2,1- pharmacy and biotechnology. From the viewpoint of environ-
a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones,18 and Mn-catalyzed electrochemical mental impact, it is highly desirable to construct benzo[4,5]-
cascade cyclization of alkyl boronic acids with N-substituted 2- imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-one frameworks using an
arylbenzoimidazoles.19 However, the utility of all of these efficient, environmentally benign, and sustainable approach
protocols for large scale synthesis is still limited due to the use (Scheme 1).
of expensive metal catalysts such as Rh, Pd, Mn, and Ir and Recently, visible-light photoredox catalysis as a renewable
stoichiometric acid/base additives, expensive starting materials, energy source has been recognized as a powerful activation
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Table 1. Optimization of the Reaction Conditions for the Radical Cascade Alkylation/Cyclization of Amine-Derived Katritzky
Salts with N-Methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazolesa

entry photocatalyst base (equiv) solvent yield (%)b


1 rose bengal K2CO3 (2.0) ACN 22
2 eosin-y K2CO3 (2.0) ACN 40
3 Acr-Mes+ClO4− K2CO3 (2.0) ACN ND
4 rhodamine B K2CO3 (2.0) ACN 34
5 Ru(bpy)3PF6 K2CO3 (2.0) ACN 16
6 Ir(ppy)3 K2CO3 (2.0) ACN 31
7 Ru(bpy)3Cl2·6H2O K2CO3 (2.0) ACN 26
8 eosin-y Cs2CO3 (2.0) ACN 60
9 eosin-y DABCO (2.0) ACN 81
10 eosin-y DBU (2.0) ACN 51
11 eosin-y Na2CO3 (2.0) ACN 56
12 eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) ACN 90
13 eosin-y Et3N (2.0) ACN 72
14 eosin-y DIPEA (3.0) ACN 90
15 eosin-y DIPEA (1.0) ACN 60
16 eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) MeOH ND
17 eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) DCM 40
18 eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) DMF 55
19 eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) DMSO 65
20 eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) THF 50
21 eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) 1,4-dioxane 45
22c eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) ACN 90
23d eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) ACN 74
24e − DIPEA (2.0) ACN ND
25f eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) ACN ND
26g eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) ACN 83
27h eosin-y DIPEA (2.0) ACN 36
a
Standard reaction conditions: 1 (0.3 mmol), 2a (0.36 mmol), catalyst (2 mol %), base (2.0 equiv), and solvent (3 mL), stirred for 16 h, blue LED
light kept 10 cm from the reaction flask. Abbreviations: ND, product 3a not detected via TLC; DABCO, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane; DIPEA,
N,N-diisopropylethylamine; DBU, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene. All of the reactions were performed under a nitrogen atmosphere. bIsolated
yields. cWith 3 mol % catalyst. dWith 1 mol % catalyst. eCatalyst not used. fNo light. gThe reaction was carried out with a green LED light source.
h
Under an open air atmosphere.

protocol in several highly synthetically efficient chemical nitrogen atmosphere and visible-light irradiation with 5 W blue
transformations.20 As a part of our continuing study of LED light in a batch process. As shown in Table 1, the reaction
visible-light-induced photocatalyzed reactions21 for the syn- was screened using 2 mol % rose bengal as a photocatalyst and
thesis of biologically active heterocycles,22 we report herein the 2 equiv of K2CO3 as the base in an ACN solvent for 16 h
use of alkyl amine/amino acid-derived Katritzky salts as alkyl (Table 1, entry 1). To our delight, the desired product was
radical precursors for the construction of benzimidazole-fused afforded in 22% yield after 16 h. The structure of 3a was
isoquinoline core frameworks under continuous-flow visible- characterized by 1H, 13C, DEPT, and mass spectroscopy. In
light photocatalysis. Despite the significant advances in this addition, a series of photocatalysts such as eosin-y, Acr-
field, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no report of Mes+ClO4−, rhodamine B, Ru(bpy)3PF6, Ir(ppy)3, and Ru-
the construction of benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin- (bpy)3Cl2·6H2O were tested to check the reaction efficiency
6(5H)-ones via a metal-free strategy via C−N bond cleavage using ACN as the solvent and K2CO3 as the base for 16 h
of alkyl amine/amino acid-derived Katritzky salts with N- (Table 1, entries 2−7), and the corresponding product was
methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazoles under a continuous obtained in improved yield in the presence of eosin-y as a
flow.
photocatalyst (Table 1, entry 2). Furthermore, we investigated

■ RESULTS AND DISCUSSION


To test the hypothesis presented above, we commenced our
different bases such as Cs2CO3, DABCO, DBU, Na2CO3,
DIPEA, and Et3N (Table 1, entries 8−13, respectively),
showing that the product was obtained in high yield when 2.0
study to investigate the optimal reaction conditions, including equiv of DIPEA was used as a base (90%, Table 1, entry 12).
photocatalysts, bases, solvents, and reaction times under a We also examined the amount of base for this transformation
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Scheme 2. Substrate Scope with Respect to N-Methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazoles in a Batch Reactor

(Table 1, entries 14 and 15). Then we further investigated the protocol under batch conditions (see Figure S1) as shown in
reaction efficiency with other solvents, including MeOH, Schemes 2−4. Various N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimida-
DCM, DMF, DMSO, THF, and 1,4-dioxane (Table 1, entries zoles and alkyl amine/amino acid-derived Katritzky salts were
16−21, respectively). The different amounts of photocatalyst synthesized by a reported procedure (see Scheme S1). The
showed no significant or weaker impact on the yield of the reaction was found to work well with a wide variety of
desired product (Table 1, entries 22 and 23). It should be benzimidazole derivatives with electron-withdrawing substitu-
noted that no formation of the desired product was observed ents (-CN and -NO2) or electron-donating substituents (-tBu
in the absence of a photocatalyst or light in ACN (Table 1, and -OMe) on the 2-phenyl ring, and the compounds were
entries 24 and 25). transformed into the corresponding desired products in
Varying the light source from a blue LED to a green LED satisfactory yields (Scheme 2, 3b−3e). In addition, the
decreases the yield of the desired product (Table 1, entry 26). structure of 3b was further confirmed by X-ray crystallography
In addition, the level of formation of the desired product was analysis (see the Supporting Information for the details;
very low when we conducted the experiment under an air CCDC 2065408, Figure S5). The reactions proceeded
atmosphere (Table 1, entry 27). smoothly and produced the desired products in good yields
After determining the optimized reaction conditions, we when the halogen substituents were introduced into the 2-
turned our attention to the evaluation of the substrate scope phenyl ring of benzimidazole (Scheme 2, 3f and 3g). This
and limitations of the developed cascade alkylation/cyclization transformation also proceeded well when the ortho-substituted
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Scheme 3. Substrate Scope with Respect to Substituted Benzylic and Amino Acid-Derived Katritzky Salts in a Batch Reactor

2-phenyl ring benzimidazole derivatives were employed as (Scheme 2, 3ae). We next sought to explore the scope of this
starting materials and delivered the corresponding products in radical cascade cyclization protocol with respect to substituted
moderate to good yields (Scheme 2, 3i and 3j), and this benzylic Katritzky salts as depicted in Scheme 3. In this regard,
indicates that steric hindrance also did not effect the reaction. a variety of substituted benzylic Katritzky salts were
Additionally, an electron-donating meta substituent on the 2- synthesized to explore the efficiency of this method. Both
phenyl ring of the benzimidazole derivative also displayed good electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups attached at
compatibility to generate the desired product in 57% yield any positions of the aromatic ring of benzylic Katritzky salts
(Scheme 2, 3h). were found to be well tolerated and to afford the
It was very difficult to accomplish this transformation in the corresponding desired product in good yields (Scheme 3,
presence of a heteroaromatic ring on the 2-phenyl ring of 3o−3w). Notably, no formation of the desired product was
benzimidazole derivatives (Scheme 2, 3k). We also inves-
observed in the case of the heteroaromatically derived
tigated the effect of substituents on the Ar2 ring of 2-
Katritzky salt (Scheme 3, 3x). Subsequently, we probed the
arylbenzoimidazoles. To our delight, N-substituted 2-arylben-
zoimidazoles derived from substituted 1,2 diamines displayed generality of this radical cascade cyclization protocol with
good compatibility and delivered the desired products in good respect to amino acid ester-derived Katritzky salts under the
yields (Scheme 2, 3l−3n). optimized reaction conditions. As summarized in Scheme 3,
In addition, we are unable to obtain the desired products glycine ester-derived Katritzky salts underwent this trans-
when 1-(2-phenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one, formation and also delivered the corresponding products in
3-phenyl-1-(2-phenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)prop-2-en-1- moderate yields (Scheme 3, 4a, 42% yield; 4b, 40% yield; 4c,
one, and 2-phenyl-1-(2-phenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)- 41% yield). Remarkably, phenyl alanine ester-derived Katritzky
prop-2-en-1-one were utilized as starting materials (Scheme salts derived from naturally abundant phenylalanine derivatives
2, 3ab−3ad, respectively). Notably, no formation of product can be applied in this transformation and lead to the formation
was observed in the case of N-methacryloyl-2-phenylindoles of the desired products (Scheme 3, 4d, 42% yield; 4e, 42%
12912 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c01555
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Scheme 4. Substrate Scope with Respect to Aliphatic Alkyl Amine-Derived Katritzky Salts in a Batch Reactor

Table 2. Optimization of the Reaction Conditions for the Radical Cascade Alkylation/Cyclization of Amine-Derived Katritzky
Salts with N-Methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazolesa

entry flow rate (μL min−1) retention time yieldb (%)


1 200 1.96 10
2 100 3.92 18
3 80 4.90 33
4 50 7.85 63
5 30 13.08 71
6 25 15 78
7 20 19 90
8 10 39.26 91
a
All reactions were carried out with 0.3 mmol of 1a, 0.36 mmol of 2a, 2.0 equiv of DIPEA, and 2 mol % eosin-y in 3 mL of CH3CN. bIsolated
yields of chromatographically pure products. PFA microreactor with a serpentine microchannel (1 m in length, 500 μm in width).

yield; 4f, 43% yield). As per the NMR data, we observed only the problems associated with batch chemistry.23 In particular,
one diastereomer for compounds 4c−4f. photochemical reactions in flow reactors often result in shorter
The generality of this novel process was next examined; reaction times, superior mixing, increased yields, short path
Katritzky salts derived from nonbenzylic alkyl groups such as lengths, and greater scale-up possibilities.24 Encouraged by
cyclohexyl amine, isopropyl amine, cyclopentyl amine, significant progress in flow photochemical reaction over batch
tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-amine, and 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2- chemistry, we developed a continuous-flow protocol for
amine were successfully converted to the corresponding photoredox-catalyzed synthesis of benzimidazo[2,1-a]-
desired products in moderate to good yields (5a−5e) as isoquinoline-6(5H)-ones via radical cascade alkylation and
shown in Scheme 4. Note that Katritzky salts derived from cyclization of N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazoles with
primary aliphatic alkyl amines, such as methyl amine and n- alkyl amine/amino acid-derived Katritzky salts. Initially, the
butyl amine, could not generate the desired product, likely due mixture solution of N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazole
to the low stability of the formed primary alkyl radical species (1a) and amine/amino acid-derived Katritzky salt (2a),
(Scheme 4, 5f and 5g). Tertiary alkyl groups such as tertiary DIPEA (2 equiv), and eosin-y (2 mol %) in acetonitrile was
butyl amine were unable to synthesize Katritzky salts (Scheme taken up into a syringe and injected into perfluoroalkoxy
4, 5h). alkane (PFA) capillary tubing (500 μm in diameter, 2.5 m in
Continuous-Flow Reaction. Compared to the traditional length, 0.98 mL in volume) under a nitrogen atmosphere. A
batch reactions, continuous-flow microreactor technology has schematic illustration of the continuous-flow microreactor is
received a great deal of attention in an attempt to overcome shown in Figure S2. We further monitored the efficiency of the
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Scheme 5. Scale-Up Experimenta

a
Standard reaction conditions: 1a (4.0 mmol), 2a (4.8 mmol), DIPEA (2.0 equiv), eosin-y (2.0 mol %), and CH3CN as the solvent (40.0 mL) in a
PFA tube (500 μm in inside diameter, 8 m in length) at a flow rate of 20 μL min−1 under 50 W blue LED irradiation at room temperature. The
isolated yield of the product was calculated on the basis of 1a.

Scheme 6. Control Experiments

Scheme 7. Plausible Mechanistic Pathway

reaction in a continuous-flow manner at various residence reaction. In addition, we conducted a scale-up experiment
times by employing different flow rates over a blue LED light based on standard reaction conditions using substrate 1a (4
source. The results are summarized in Table 2. The short mmol, 1.048 g) and 2a (4.8 mmol, 2.328 g) in an ACN solvent
length of the microreactor and the high illumination via a PFA capillary tube microreactor as shown in Scheme 5.
homogeneity of the microreactor yielded a higher photon As expected, the reaction proceeds well to deliver the
flux that resulted in full conversion of 3a in a residence time of corresponding product 3a in 80% yield.
only 19 min with a flow rate of 20 μL min−1. Moreover, there To illustrate the mechanistic interrogation of this photo-
was a significant improvement in the reaction time, i.e., 19 min, catalytic protocol, we carried out a few control experiments
and the yields were slightly better than those of the batch under batch conditions when 2.0 equiv of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-
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tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) was introduced into the reaction with a residence time of only 19 min. Related photocatalyzed
mixture under the optimal conditions, and a trace amount of cascade reactions via a deaminative strategy are ongoing in our
3a was observed. In addition, the reaction was completely laboratory.
quenched and the corresponding product 3a was not detected
when 2 equiv of free radical inhibitor BHT (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-
methylphenol) was added to the reaction mixture. Moreover, a
■ EXPERIMENTAL SECTION
General Information. Unless otherwise noted, all reagents were
TEMPO-trapped product was also determined by MS analysis used as received from commercial suppliers. The eosin-y photo-
(see Figure S3). These results imply that the reaction catalyst and DIPEA were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich and used
proceeded through a radical intermediate pathway (Scheme without further purification. All reactions were performed under an
6). UV−vis data and fluorescence quenching experiments were inert atmosphere and in flame-dried or oven-dried glassware with
magnetic stirring. All solvents were dried before use following the
conducted with eosin-y to elucidate the reaction mechanism,
standard procedures. Reactions were monitored using thin-layer
and the excited photocatalyst was quenched with a Katritzky chromatography (SiO2). TLC plates were visualized with UV light
salt or DIPEA. (254 nm) or iodine treatment or using p-anisaldehyde stain, or PMA
These results suggest that an increase in the concentration of solution column chromatography was carried out using silica gel (60−
the Katritzky salt resulted in a significant decrease in the 120 and 100−200 mesh) packed in glass columns. NMR spectra were
fluorescence intensity of eosin-y. UV−vis data and fluorescence recorded at 300, 400, and 500 MHz (1H) and at 75, 100, and 125
quenching experiments were conducted with eosin-y to MHz (13C{1H}). Splitting patterns are designated as follows: s,
elucidate the reaction mechanism, and the excited photo- singlet; d, doublet; t, triplet; dd, doublet of doublets; m, multiplet.
catalyst was quenched by the Katritzky salt or DIPEA. These Chemical shifts (δ) are reported in parts per million, using the
residual solvent peak in CDCl3 (1H, δ 7.26; 13C, δ 77.00) as an
results suggest that an increase in the concentration of the internal standard, and coupling constants (J) are given in hertz.
Katritzky salt resulted in a significant decrease in the HRMS data were recorded using ESI-TOF techniques. Blue-light
fluorescence intensity of eosin-y. As might be expected, the LEDs (model no. Day.strp.blu.5m.nwt.01; manufacturer, Daylight
results showed that the amine/amino acid-derived Katritzky LED; LED, 5 W, λ = 450 nm) were used for our study. For all
salt (B1) could quench the photoexcited eosin-y effectively compounds, we have recorded the 1H and 13C NMR spectra. For
(see Figure S4). unknown compounds, we have included HRMS data along with 1H
On the basis of the control experiment observations and 13C NMR data.
presented above and previous literature reports,25 the General Procedure for the Photochemical Synthesis of
Benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-one Derivatives
proposed mechanistic details for the radical cascade under Batch Conditions. A dried screw-cap vial was charged with
alkylation/cyclization of N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimida- N-methyacryoyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazole 1a (0.3 mmol, 1.0 equiv)
zoles with amine/amino acid-derived Katritzky salts are and amine/amino acid-derived Katritzky salt 2a (0.36 mmol, 1.2
depicted in Scheme 7. Under visible-light irradiation, the equiv) in CH3CN (3 mL), and DIPEA (0.74 mg, 0.6 mmol, 2.0
photocatalyst eosin-y will be excited to generate the eosin-y* equiv) and 2 mol % eosin-y (0.006 mmol, 4 mg) were added after
species followed by the single-electron reduction of a redox- irradiation with nitrogen gas via the reaction under a blue LED light at
active Katritzky salt 2a by excited eosin-y*, resulting in a room temperature for 16 h (monitored by TLC) as shown in Figure
dihydropyridine radical I and a fragmentation driven by the re- S1. Then 10 mL of water was added to the reaction mixture. It was
extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 10 mL). Then, to the organic layer
formation of an aromatic pyridine ring to give an alkyl radical was added Na2SO4, and the mixture was concentrated under reduced
II. Subsequently, the alkyl radical adds to the CC bond of pressure. The residue was directly subjected to flash chromatography
N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazoles 1a to give a new on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate) to afford desired product 3a.
carbon radical intermediate III, which underwent an General Procedure for Visible-Light-Induced Continuous-
intermolecular cyclization to give radical intermediate IV. Flow Synthesis of Benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-
Meanwhile, single-electron reduction of the EY•+ intermediate one Derivatives in a PFA Microreactor (P2). In an oven-dried
glass vial, eosin-y (2 mol %), N-methyacryoyl-2-phenylbenzoimida-
by i-Pr2NEt regenerates the ground state EY to close the
zole 1a (1 equiv), and amine/amino acid-derived Katritzky salt 2a
photoredox cycle. Finally, the deprotonation of carbocation IV (1.2 equiv) were dissolved in 3 mL of CH3CN (0.20 M), and then
afforded cyclization product 3a. DIPEA (2 equiv) was slowly added to the reaction mixture. The vial
In summary, we have discovered a novel metal-free was fitted with a PTFE septum and purged with argon wherever
environmentally friendly protocol for constructing diverse necessary. The solutions were transferred into a 5 mL NORM-JECT
benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-one derivatives in plastic syringe and introduced into the PFA tubing microreactor
continuous-flow photoredox mode under mild reaction through a syringe pump (see the Supporting Information for details,
conditions. The readily available redox-active Katritzky salts as shown in Figure S2). The flow rate was set to 20 μL min−1, thus
derived from abundant alkyl amines/amino acid derivatives resulting in a residence time of 19 min. After the mixture had reached
a steady state, a product sample was collected at the end of the PFA
were used as alkyl radical precursors via a deaminative capillary tubing reactor in a vial. The collected volume was measured,
pathway. Moreover, the scope of this deaminative alkylation/ and the sample was then diluted with water and extracted with ethyl
cyclization protocol was widely generalized by confirming the acetate (3 × 10 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine, dried
functional group tolerance of compounds bearing electron- with Na2SO4, and evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting
donating or -withdrawing substituent and halogens at ortho, crude compound was absorbed on silica gel and purified via column
meta, and para positions on N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzoi- chromatography (EtOAc/hexane). The isolated compound was
midazoles as well as on Katritzky salts, leading to the formation analyzed by NMR.
of diverse benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-one Characterization Data. 5-Methyl-5-phenethylbenzo[4,5]-
imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3a). The title compound was
derivatives in moderate to excellent yields by the formation prepared according to the general procedure as described above in
of two new C−C bonds. In addition, the implementation of 90% yield (95 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20%
flow chemistry instead of batch chemistry using a PFA capillary EtOAc/hexane; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3a as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500
tube microreactor led to enhanced irradiation of the reaction MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.53 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 8.33 (dd, J = 7.2, 1.5 Hz,
mixture and probed its effectiveness with a slightly higher yield 1H), 7.83 (dd, J = 7.0, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 7.65−7.60 (m, 1H), 7.55−7.51

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(m, 2H), 7.47−7.40 (m, 2H), 7.12−7.09 (m, 2H), 7.03−7.00 (m, (m, 1H), 7.51−7.49 (m, 2H), 7.47−7.40 (m, 2H), 7.12−7.07 (m,
1H), 6.96−6.91 (m, 2H), 2.86−2.79 (m, 1H), 2.35−2.20 (m, 3H), 2H), 7.03−6.98 (m, 1H), 6.94−6.91 (m, 2H), 2.85−2.79 (m, 1H),
1.76 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.9, 149.7, 2.30−1.23 (m, 3H), 1.75 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
144.0, 141.3, 140.2, 131.9, 131.2, 128.2, 128.1, 127.8, 126.0, 125.9, δ 172.2, 148.8, 143.9, 143.0, 139.8, 138.2, 131.2, 128.5, 128.3, 128.1,
125.8, 125.5, 123.1, 119.7, 115.6, 49.2, 44.1, 31.5, 29.4; IR (neat) νmax 127.4, 126.3, 126.1, 126.0, 125.7, 121.8, 119.8, 115.7, 49.3, 44.1, 31.6,
3025, 2935, 1950, 1715, 1453, 1357, 1166, 761; HRMS (ESI-TOF) 29.3; IR (neat) νmax 3072, 3010, 2925, 1718, 1595, 1457, 1361, 761;
m/z calcd for C24H21ON2 [M + H]+ 353.1654, found 353.1655. HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C24H20N2OCl [M + H]+ 387.1247,
5-Methyl-6-oxo-5-phenethyl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1- found 387.1258.
a]isoquinoline-3-carbonitrile (3b). The title compound was prepared 3-Bromo-5-methyl-5-phenethylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-
according to the general procedure as described above in 82% yield isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3g). The title compound was prepared
(93 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ according to the general procedure as described above in 78% yield
hexane; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3b as a white solid: mp 169.8−171.1 °C; (101 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
1
H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.61 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 8.34−8.27 hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3g as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
(m, 1H), 7.87−7.82 (m, 1H), 7.81−7.73 (m, 2H), 7.51−7.44 (m, CDCl3) δ 8.38−8.36 (m, 1H), 8.31−8.28 (m, 1H), 7.83−7.79 (m,
2H), 7.11−7.04 (m, 2H), 7.01−6.96 (m, 1H), 6.90−6.84 (m, 2H), 1H), 7.67−7.63 (m, 2H), 7.47−7.40 (m, 2H), 7.11−7.08 (m, 2H),
2.90−2.83 (m, 1H), 2.35−2.23 (m, 3H), 1.77 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR 7.02−6.98 (m, 1H), 6.94−6.91 (m, 2H), 2.85−2.79 (m, 1H), 2.29−
(100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 171.5, 147.6, 143.9, 142.1, 139.3, 131.2, 131.0, 2.24 (m, 3H), 1.75 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ
130.3, 128.3, 128.1, 127.1, 126.6, 126.5, 126.3, 126.2, 120.2, 118.0, 172.1, 148.8, 143.9, 143.1, 139.7, 131.3, 131.2, 129.3, 128.2, 128.1,
115.9, 115.1, 49.2, 43.9, 31.6, 29.3; IR (neat) νmax 3069, 2927, 2233, 127.4, 126.6, 126.1, 126.0, 125.8, 122.1, 119.8, 115.7, 49.2, 44.0, 31.5,
1719, 1453, 1361, 760; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C25H19ON3 29.4; IR (neat) νmax 3066, 3016, 2924, 1719, 1455, 1360, 1219, 767;
[M]+ 377.1528, found 377.1529. HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C24H20N2OBr [M + H]+ 431.0747,
5-Methyl-3-nitro-5-phenethylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- found 431.0753.
isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3c). The title compound was prepared 2-Methoxy-5-methyl-5-phenethylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-
according to the general procedure as described above in 77% yield isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3h) (2:1). The title compound was prepared
(92 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ according to the general procedure as described above in 57% yield
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3c as a white solid: mp 182.3−184.6 °C; (66 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
1
H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.67 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 8.39−8.30 hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3h as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (400 MHz,
(m, 3H), 7.89−7.83 (m, 1H), 7.52−7.47 (m, 2H), 7.07−7.03 (m, CDCl3) δ 8.34−8.30 (m, 1H), 8.21 (dd, J = 7.9, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.97 (d,
2H), 6.98−6.94 (m, 1H), 6.87 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.97−2.86 (m, J = 2.8 Hz, 1H), 7.84−7.81 (m, 1H), 7.52−7.39 (m, 3H), 7.19 (dd, J
1H), 2.44−2.23 (m, 3H), 1.82 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (125 MHz, = 8.8, 2.8 Hz, 1H), 7.13−6.99 (m, 3H), 6.94 (dd, J = 5.1, 3.3 Hz, 1H),
CDCl3) δ 171.5, 149.6, 147.3, 143.9, 142.6, 139.2, 131.2, 128.6, 128.3, 6.89−6.86 (m, 1H), 3.99 (s, 2H), 3.95 (s, 1H), 3.12−3.04 (m, 1H),
128.1, 127.1, 126.7, 126.4, 126.2, 122.8, 121.8, 120.3, 115.9, 49.6, 2.82−2.69 (m, 1H), 2.29−2.17 (m, 3H), 1.83 (s, 1H), 1.72 (s, 2H);
43.8, 31.7, 29.4; IR (neat) νmax 3092, 2938, 2495, 1720, 1536, 1450, 13
C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 174.1, 173.2, 158.9, 157.4,
1352, 1173, 761; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C24H20O3N3 [M + 149.9, 149.8, 144.0, 143.9, 140.6, 140.3, 133.6, 131.3, 131.2, 129.0,
H]+ 398.1505, found 398.1511. 128.2, 128.2, 128.0, 127.4, 126.0, 125.8, 125.8, 125.7, 125.5, 125.3,
3-(tert-Butyl)-5-methyl-5-phenethylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- 124.1, 120.7, 119.6, 119.6, 118.6, 115.8, 115.7, 114.1, 107.8, 55.8,
isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3d). The title compound was prepared 55.5, 49.5, 48.8, 44.3, 39.8, 32.5, 31.6, 29.5, 25.7; IR (neat) νmax 2939,
according to the general procedure as described above in 81% yield 2849, 1714, 1451, 1356, 1065, 765; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for
(99 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ C25H23N2O2 [M + H]+ 383.1750, found 383.1754.
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3d as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz, 1-Bromo-5-methyl-5-phenethylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-
CDCl3) δ 8.45 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 8.35 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (d, J isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3i). The title compound was prepared
= 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.59−7.53 (m, 2H), 7.46−7.40 (m, 2H), 7.12 (t, J = according to the general procedure as described above in 75% yield
7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.03 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.88− (97 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
2.82 (m, 1H), 2.35−2.19 (m, 3H), 1.76 (s, 3H), 1.44 (s, 9H); hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3i as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
13
C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 173.1, 155.5, 149.8, 144.0, CDCl3) δ 8.39−8.33 (m, 1H), 7.97−7.90 (m, 1H), 7.85 (dd, J = 7.9,
140.9, 140.4, 131.2, 128.2, 128.1, 125.9, 125.7, 125.2, 125.1, 122.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (dd, J = 8.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.48−7.44 (m, 2H), 7.39
120.4, 119.5, 115.6, 49.4, 44.2, 35.2, 31.6, 31.1, 29.6; IR (neat) νmax (t, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.13−7.10 (m, 2H), 7.03 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H),
3063, 2960, 2925, 1715, 1614, 1454, 1357, 1174, 757; HRMS (ESI- 6.95−6.91 (m, 2H), 2.83−2.77 (m, 1H), 2.30−2.20 (m, 3H), 1.76 (s,
TOF) m/z calcd for C28H29ON2 [M + H]+ 409.2254, found 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.0, 147.1, 144.3, 143.5,
409.2274. 140.0, 135.2, 131.2, 130.6, 128.2, 128.1, 126.2, 126.1, 125.8, 125.5,
3-Methoxy-5-methyl-5-phenethylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- 122.5, 121.4, 120.7, 115.6, 49.6, 44.5, 31.4, 29.6; IR (neat) νmax 3065,
isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3e). The title compound was prepared 2927, 1715, 1567, 1370, 1161, 756; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for
according to the general procedure as described above in 60% yield C24H20BrN2O [M + H]+ 431.0754, found 431.0759.
(69 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ 7-Methyl-7-phenethylbenzo[h]benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3e as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz, isoquinolin-8(7H)-one (3j). The title compound was prepared
CDCl3) δ 8.45 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (dd, J = 7.4, 1.0 Hz, 1H), according to the general procedure as described above in 67% yield
7.79−7.76 (m, 1H), 7.43−7.37 (m, 2H), 7.13−7.00 (m, 5H), 6.97− (81 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
6.94 (m, 2H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 2.83−2.77 (m, 1H), 2.30−2.24 (m, 3H), hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3j as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
1.74 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 173.0, 162.7, CDCl3) δ 10.55 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 8.46−8.37 (m, 1H), 8.09 (d, J =
149.9, 144.1, 143.4, 140.3, 131.2, 128.2, 128.2, 127.9, 126.0, 125.7, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.97−7.92 (m, 2H), 7.86−7.83 (m, 1H), 7.69−7.63 (m,
125.0, 119.3, 116.1, 115.6, 113.5, 111.7, 55.6, 49.4, 44.3, 31.5, 29.6; IR 2H), 7.50−7.44 (m, 2H), 7.09 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.01 (t, J = 7.3 Hz,
(neat) νmax 3059, 3013, 2952,, 1719, 1553, 1351, 1221, 769; HRMS 1H), 6.92 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.93−2.87 (m, 1H), 2.47−2.40 (m,
(ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C25H23N2O2 [M + H]+ 383.1756, found 1H), 2.29−2.15 (m, 2H), 1.82 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz,
383.1766. CDCl3) δ 173.1, 149.9, 144.1, 141.9, 140.3, 132.9, 132.8, 130.3, 128.8,
3-Chloro-5-methyl-5-phenethylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- 128.4, 128.2, 128.1, 128.1, 126.9, 126.0, 125.8, 122.9, 120.1, 118.4,
isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3f). The title compound was prepared 115.8, 49.5, 44.0, 31.6, 29.5; IR (neat) νmax 3061, 2925, 1714, 1456,
according to the general procedure as described above in 78% yield 1365, 759; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C28H23N2O [M + H]+
(90 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ 403.1788, found 403.1804.
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3f as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (400 MHz, 9-Chloro-5-methyl-5-phenethylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-
CDCl3) δ 8.45 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 8.32−8.27 (m, 1H), 7.83−7.79 isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3l). The title compound was prepared

12916 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c01555
J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 12908−12921
The Journal of Organic Chemistry pubs.acs.org/joc Article

according to the general procedure as described above in 78% yield 5-(4-Chlorophenethyl)-5-methylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-


(92 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3q). The title compound was prepared
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3l as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz, according to the general procedure as described above in 75% yield
CDCl3) δ 8.50−8.47 (m, 1H), 8.32 (d, J = 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.71 (d, J = (87 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.66−7.62 (m, 1H), 7.55−7.51 (m, 2H), 7.41 (dd, J = hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3q as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
8.5, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.10−7.07 (m, 2H), 7.00 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 6.91 CDCl3) δ 8.52 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.31−8.25 (m, 1H), 7.85−7.80
(d, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 2.85−2.79 (m, 1H), 2.35−2.29 (m, 1H), 2.25− (m, 1H), 7.64−7.61 (m, 1H), 7.54−7.51 (m, 2H), 7.47−7.41 (m,
2.21 (m, 2H), 1.75 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 2H), 7.05−7.01 (m, 2H), 6.86−6.82 (m, 2H), 2.83−2.76 (m, 1H),
172.8, 150.3, 142.6, 141.2, 139.9, 132.2, 131.7, 131.0, 128.2, 128.1, 2.32−2.19 (m, 3H), 1.75 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
127.9, 126.3, 126.1, 126.0, 126.0, 122.9, 120.3, 116.0, 115.8, 49.2, δ 172.8, 149.6, 143.9, 141.1, 138.5, 132.0, 131.2, 129.5, 128.3, 127.9,
44.2, 31.6, 29.4; IR (neat) νmax 3098, 2952, 1721, 1447, 1360, 1219, 126.0, 125.6, 123.2, 119.8, 115.6, 49.1, 44.0, 31.0, 29.5; IR (neat) νmax
770; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for [M + H]+ 387.1273, found 3053, 3021, 2943, 1716, 1441, 1352, 754; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z
387.1275. calcd for C24H20N2OCl [M + H]+ 387.1247, found 387.1258.
5,9,10-Trimethyl-5-phenethylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- 5-(3,4-Dichlorophenethyl)-5-methylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-
isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3m). The title compound was prepared isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3r). The title compound was prepared
according to the general procedure as described above in 83% yield according to the general procedure as described above in 62% yield
(95 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ (78 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3m as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz, hexane; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3r as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 8.48 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 8.13 (s, 1H), 7.62−7.55 (m, CDCl3) δ 8.52 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 8.31−8.25 (m, 1H), 7.85−
2H), 7.52−7.47 (m, 2H), 7.14−7.11 (m, 2H), 7.06−7.01 (m, 1H), 7.80 (m, 1H), 7.65−7.60 (m, 1H), 7.55−7.49 (m, 2H), 7.46−7.41
6.96−6.92 (m, 2H), 2.81−2.75 (m, 1H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 2.41 (s, 3H), (m, 2H), 7.11 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.72 (dd,
2.23 (dt, J = 37.5, 10.0 Hz, 3H), 1.73 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 J = 8.2, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 2.83−2.77 (m, 1H), 2.32−2.18 (m, 3H), 1.75 (s,
MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.8, 149.0, 142.4, 141.1, 140.4, 134.8, 131.6, 129.6, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.7, 149.4, 143.9, 140.8,
128.2, 128.1, 127.7, 125.9, 125.9, 125.7, 123.4, 119.9, 116.0, 49.1, 140.2, 132.0, 131.1, 130.1, 130.0, 128.0, 127.7, 126.0, 126.0, 125.9,
44.3, 31.5, 29.3, 20.5, 20.4; IR (neat) νmax 3069, 2926, 1712, 1461, 125.7, 123.1, 119.8, 115.6, 49.0, 43.5, 30.8, 29.6; IR (neat) νmax 3062,
1365, 767; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C26H25N2O [M + H]+ 2927, 2858, 1710, 1551, 1349, 1161, 752; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z
381.2048, found 381.2053. calcd for C24H19N2OCl2 [M + H]+ 421.0874, found 421.0880.
5-(2,5-Difluorophenethyl)-5-methylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-
5,10,11-Trimethyl-5-phenethylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3s). The title compound was prepared
isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3n). The title compound was prepared
according to the general procedure as described above in 70% yield
according to the general procedure as described above in 80% yield
(82 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
(91 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3s as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3n as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 8.51 (dd, J = 7.7, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 8.34 (dd, J = 7.1, 1.6 Hz,
CDCl3) δ 8.60−8.53 (m, 1H), 8.04 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.61−7.58
1H), 7.87−7.79 (m, 1H), 7.64−7.59 (m, 1H), 7.55−7.49 (m, 2H),
(m, 1H), 7.53−7.49 (m, 2H), 7.22 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.15−7.11 (m,
7.47−7.40 (m, 2H), 6.82−6.79 (m, 1H), 6.72−6.60 (m, 2H), 2.82−
2H), 7.07−7.03 (m, 1H), 6.97−6.93 (m, 2H), 2.81−2.74 (m, 1H),
2.77 (m, 1H), 2.36−2.22 (m, 3H), 1.74 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100
2.66 (s, 3H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 2.30−2.13 (m, 3H), 1.74 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.7, 159.5, 157.9, 157.1, 155.6, 149.6, 144.0, 140.8,
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.8, 148.9, 143.6, 141.1, 140.5, 133.9, 132.0, 131.2, 129.0, 128.8, 127.9, 126.0, 126.0, 125.9, 125.5, 123.1,
131.6, 129.2, 128.2, 128.1, 127.6, 127.2, 126.0, 125.9, 123.5, 112.3, 119.8, 116.7, 116.7, 116.5, 116.4, 116.1, 116.1, 115.9, 115.8, 115.7,
49.2, 44.4, 31.5, 29.2, 19.5, 13.3; IR (neat) νmax 3016, 2925, 2852, 114.2, 114.1, 114.0, 113.9, 49.2, 41.7, 29.8, 25.3; IR (neat) νmax 3063,
1713, 1459, 1354, 1221, 770; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for 2972, 2854, 1716, 1497, 1362, 1201, 756; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z
C26H25N2O [M + H]+ 381.1949, found 381.1961. calcd for C24H19N2OF2 [M + H]+ 389.1442, found 389.1460.
5-Methyl-5-(2-methylphenethyl)benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- 5-Methyl-5-[2-(naphthalen-1-yl)ethyl]benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-
isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3o). The title compound was prepared isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3t). The title compound was prepared
according to the general procedure as described above in 85% yield according to the general procedure as described above in 74% yield
(93 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ (89 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3o as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz, hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3t as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 8.54 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.40−8.36 (m, 1H), 7.86− CDCl3) δ 8.57 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 8.40−8.35 (m, 1H), 7.88−
7.81 (m, 1H), 7.67−7.61 (m, 1H), 7.57−7.52 (m, 2H), 7.47−7.42 7.82 (m, 1H), 7.78−7.74 (m, 1H), 7.70−7.65 (m, 2H), 7.61−7.55
(m, 2H), 7.04−6.96 (m, 3H), 6.89−6.84 (m, 1H), 2.76−2.69 (m, (m, 3H), 7.48−7.42 (m, 4H), 7.20 (dd, J = 8.1, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (d,
1H), 2.26−2.13 (m, 3H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 1.75 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR J = 6.9 Hz, 1H), 2.98−2.91 (m, 1H), 2.78−2.71 (m, 1H), 2.68−2.61
(100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.9, 149.8, 144.0, 141.4, 138.6, 135.7, 131.9, (m, 1H), 2.42−2.37 (m, 1H), 1.75 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100
131.3, 130.2, 128.8, 127.9, 126.2, 126.0, 126.0, 125.9, 125.5, 123.2, MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.9, 149.8, 144.0, 141.3, 136.6, 133.7, 132.0, 131.5,
119.7, 115.7, 49.3, 43.1, 29.3, 29.0, 18.8; IR (neat) νmax 3060, 3029, 131.3, 128.7, 128.0, 127.0, 126.1, 125.9, 125.6, 125.5, 125.3, 123.3,
2962, 1714, 1455, 1356, 1166, 757; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for 119.8, 115.8, 49.4, 43.4, 29.5, 28.9; IR (neat) νmax 2958, 2867, 1715,
C25H23N2O [M + H]+ 367.1810, found 367.1811. 1454, 1358, 1171, 761; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C28H23N2O
5-(3-Chlorophenethyl)-5-methylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- [M + H]+ 403.1786, found 403.1804.
isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3p). The title compound was prepared 5-Methyl-5-(4-phenoxyphenethyl)benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-
according to the general procedure as described above in 72% yield isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3u). The title compound was prepared
(84 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ according to the general procedure as described above in 57% yield
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3p as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz, (76 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
CDCl3) δ 8.52 (dd, J = 8.1, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.34−8.30 (m, 1H), 7.84− hexane; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3u as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
7.81 (m, 1H), 7.65−7.60 (m, 1H), 7.54−7.50 (m, 2H), 7.46−7.40 CDCl3) δ 8.52 (dd, J = 7.7, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.35−8.30 (m, 1H), 7.85−
(m, 2H), 7.02−6.96 (m, 2H), 6.93 (t, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H), 6.81−6.77 (m, 7.78 (m, 1H), 7.65−7.60 (m, 1H), 7.55−7.50 (m, 2H), 7.47−7.41
1H), 2.83−2.77 (m, 1H), 2.32−2.18 (m, 3H), 1.75 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} (m, 2H), 7.30−7.26 (m, 3H), 7.09−7.02 (m, 1H), 6.89−6.83 (m,
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.8, 149.6, 144.0, 142.1, 141.0, 134.0, 4H), 6.76−6.71 (m, 2H), 2.86−2.79 (m, 1H), 2.36−2.28 (m, 1H),
132.0, 131.2, 129.4, 128.3, 127.9, 126.4, 126.2, 126.0, 125.9, 125.9, 2.25−2.18 (m, 2H), 1.76 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
125.5, 123.1, 119.8, 115.7, 49.1, 43.7, 31.3, 29.5; IR (neat) νmax 3062, δ 172.9, 155.4, 149.7, 144.0, 134.9, 132.0, 129.6, 129.4, 127.8, 126.1,
2925, 2854, 1717, 1456, 1363, 767; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for 126.0, 125.9, 125.6, 123.2, 123.0, 119.8, 118.7, 118.6, 115.7, 49.2,
C24H20N2OCl [M + H]+ 387.1246, found 387.1258. 44.1, 30.9, 29.6; IR (neat) νmax 3099, 2952, 2848, 1720, 1493, 1231,

12917 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c01555
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770; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C30H24N2O2 [M]+ 444.1837, Methyl 2-Benzyl-3-(5-methyl-6-oxo-5,6-dihydrobenzo[4,5]-
found 444.1842. imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-5-yl)propanoate (4d). The title com-
5-[4-(tert-Butyl)phenethyl]-5-methylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- pound was prepared according to the general procedure as described
isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3v). The title compound was prepared above in 42% yield (60 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography
according to the general procedure as described above in 73% yield (30% EtOAc/hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 4d as a colorless oil: 1H
(89 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.45 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.37−8.34
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3v as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz, (m, 1H), 7.85−7.79 (m, 1H), 7.57−7.53 (m, 1H), 7.48−7.44 (m,
CDCl3) δ 8.52 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 8.28 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (d, J 4H), 7.17−7.13 (m, 3H), 6.97−6.94 (m, 2H), 2.86 (s, 3H), 2.84−
= 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.65−7.59 (m, 1H), 7.54−7.51 (m, 2H), 7.45−7.37 2.79 (m, 1H), 2.67−2.60 (m, 3H), 2.47−2.41 (m, 1H), 1.69 (s, 3H);
(m, 2H), 7.11−7.07 (m, 2H), 6.83 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 2.90−2.83 (m, 13
C{1H} NMR (126 MHz, CDCl3) δ 174.5, 172.5, 149.7, 144.1,
1H), 2.36−2.22 (m, 3H), 1.74 (s, 3H), 1.16 (s, 9H); 13C{1H} NMR 140.0, 137.8, 131.5, 131.3, 128.7, 128.3, 127.9, 127.2, 126.5, 126.0,
(100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.9, 149.7, 148.8, 143.9, 141.3, 136.8, 131.9, 125.7, 125.6, 122.9, 119.8, 115.8, 51.2, 48.7, 44.7, 43.5, 39.8, 30.5; IR
131.3, 127.9, 127.8, 126.1, 125.9, 125.7, 125.5, 125.0, 123.2, 119.7, (neat) νmax 3091, 2983, 1725, 1463, 1217, 771; HRMS (ESI-TOF)
115.7, 49.0, 43.8, 34.2, 31.2, 31.0, 29.8; IR (neat) νmax 3067, 2963, m/z calcd for C27H25N2O3 [M + H]+ 425.1840, found 425.1859.
2925, 1716, 1454, 1357, 757; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for Methyl 2-Benzyl-3-(5,8,9-trimethyl-6-oxo-5,6-dihydrobenzo[4,5]-
C28H29N2O [M + H]+ 409.2254, found 409.2274. imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-5-yl)propanoate (4e). The title com-
5-Methyl-5-(4-nitrophenethyl)benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- pound was prepared according to the general procedure as described
isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (3w). The title compound was prepared above in 42% yield (60 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography
according to the general procedure as described above in 75% yield (30% EtOAc/hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 4e as a colorless oil: 1H
(89 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.50−8.46 (m, 1H), 8.05 (d, J = 8.2 Hz,
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 3w as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz, 1H), 7.52 (ddd, J = 8.0, 6.9, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J = 11.4, 4.3 Hz,
CDCl3) δ 8.53 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.25−8.19 (m, 1H), 7.92− 2H), 7.23 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.17−7.11 (m, 3H), 6.94 (dd, J = 7.7,
7.88 (m, 2H), 7.84−7.80 (m, 1H), 7.67−7.62 (m, 1H), 7.57−7.52 1.6 Hz, 2H), 2.86 (s, 3H), 2.79 (dd, J = 13.5, 9.2 Hz, 1H), 2.66 (d, J =
(m, 2H), 7.45−7.37 (m, 2H), 7.07−7.04 (m, 2H), 2.91−2.83 (m, 5.6 Hz, 4H), 2.63−2.58 (m, 3H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 1.66 (s, 3H); 13C{1H}
1H), 2.39−2.31 (m, 3H), 1.77 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 174.6, 172.4, 148.8, 143.7, 139.8, 137.9,
CDCl3) δ 172.6, 149.4, 147.6, 146.2, 143.9, 140.7, 132.1, 131.0, 129.0, 134.0, 131.1, 129.2, 128.7, 128.3, 127.7, 127.2, 127.1, 126.5, 125.7,
128.1, 126.1, 125.9, 125.7, 123.4, 119.8, 115.5, 49.0, 43.3, 31.7, 29.6; 123.3, 112.4, 51.1, 48.6, 44.7, 43.5, 39.7, 30.5, 19.5, 13.4; IR (neat)
IR (neat) νmax 3097, 2932, 2473, 1718, 1537, 1455, 1351, 1163, 762;
νmax 3094, 2988, 1725, 1443, 1214, 773; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z
HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C24H20N3O3 [M + H]+ 398.1491,
calcd for C29H29N2O3 [M + H]+ 453.2152, found 453.2172.
found 398.1499.
Ethyl 2-Benzyl-3-(6-oxo-5,6-dihydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-
Methyl 3-(5-Methyl-6-oxo-5,6-dihydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- isoquinolin-5-yl)propanoate (4f). The title compound was prepared
isoquinolin-yl)propanoate (4a). The title compound was prepared
according to the general procedure as described above in 43% yield
according to the general procedure as described above in 42% yield
(56 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (50% EtOAc/
(42 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (50% EtOAc/
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 4f as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 4a as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 8.44 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 8.37−8.35 (m, 1H), 7.84−
CDCl3) δ 8.49 (dd, J = 8.1, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.36−8.33 (m, 1H), 7.85−
7.80 (m, 1H), 7.61−7.57 (m, 1H), 7.52−7.48 (m, 2H), 7.45−7.43 7.82 (m, 1H), 7.57−7.52 (m, 1H), 7.48−7.43 (m, 4H), 7.18−7.10
(m, 2H), 3.47 (s, 3H), 2.78−2.72 (m, 1H), 2.43−2.37 (m, 1H), (m, 3H), 6.97−6.94 (m, 2H), 3.44−3.77 (m, 1H), 3.12−3.06 (m,
2.09−2.02 (m, 1H), 1.94−1.87 (m, 1H), 1.76 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR 1H), 2.81−2.77 (m, 1H), 2.68−2.60 (m, 3H), 1.69 (s, 3H), 0.66 (t, J
(100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.5, 149.5, 144.0, 140.5, 132.1, 131.2, 128.0, = 7.2 Hz, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 174.2, 172.6,
126.0, 125.7, 123.0, 119.9, 115.7, 51.6, 48.6, 36.9, 30.0, 29.2; IR 149.7, 144.1, 140.0, 137.8, 131.5, 131.3, 128.8, 128.2, 127.9, 127.3,
(neat) νmax 2953, 2852, 1730, 1361, 1212, 768; HRMS (ESI-TOF) 126.5, 125.9, 125.6, 125.5, 122.9, 119.8, 115.8, 60.2, 48.8, 44.8, 43.5,
m/z calcd for C20H19N2O3 [M + H]+ 335.1377, found 335.1390. 39.9, 30.5, 13.5; IR (neat) νmax 3099, 2998, 1725, 1453, 1216, 770;
Methyl 3-(3-Chloro-5-methyl-6-oxo-5,6-dihydrobenzo[4,5]- HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C28H27N2O3 [M + H]+ 439.2022,
imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-5-yl)propanoate (4b). The title com- found 439.2036.
pound was prepared according to the general procedure as described 5-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-5-methylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]-
above in 40% yield (44 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (5a).13 The title compound was prepared
(50% EtOAc/hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 4b as a colorless oil: 1H according to the general procedure as described above in 70% yield
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.42 (dd, J = 8.1, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 8.35−8.31 (72 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/
(m, 1H), 7.83−7.80 (m, 1H), 7.50−7.43 (m, 4H), 3.49 (s, 3H), hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 5a as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (400 MHz,
2.79−2.71 (m, 1H), 2.38−2.30 (m, 1H), 2.10−2.03 (m, 1H), 1.95− CDCl3) δ 8.49 (dd, J = 7.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.40−8.36 (m, 1H), 7.86−
1.89 (m, 1H), 1.76 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.81 (m, 1H), 7.84−7.82 (m, 1H), 7.50−7.42 (m, 4H), 2.48 (dd, J =
172.3, 171.7, 148.6, 143.9, 142.2, 138.3, 131.1, 128.7, 127.4, 126.3, 14.2, 8.0 Hz, 1H), 2.09−2.03 (m, 1H), 1.66 (s, 3H), 1.48−1.36 (m,
126.2, 125.9, 121.6, 119.9, 115.6, 51.7, 48.7, 36.9, 29.9, 28.9; IR 3H), 1.28−1.16 (m, 2H), 0.99−0.77 (m, 6H); 13C{1H} NMR (100
(neat) νmax 2953, 2852, 1730, 1361, 1212, 768; HRMS (ESI-TOF) MHz, CDCl3) δ 173.5, 149.8, 144.0, 141.9, 131.6, 131.4, 127.5, 126.6,
m/z calcd for C20H18N2O3Cl [M + H]+ 369.1003, found 369.1005. 125.9, 125.8, 125.5, 122.6, 119.7, 115.8, 48.8, 48.3, 34.9, 34.2, 32.9,
Ethyl 3-(5-Methyl-6-oxo-5,6-dihydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- 31.8, 25.9, 25.9; IR (neat) νmax 3061, 2928, 2852, 1717, 1452, 1356,
isoquinolin-5-yl)propanoate (4c). The title compound was prepared 1173, 763; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C23H25N2O [M + H]+
according to the general procedure as described above in 41% yield 345.1966, found 345.1977.
(43 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ 5-Isobutyl-5-methylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 4c as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (400 MHz, one (5b).13 The title compound was prepared according to the
CDCl3) δ 8.51−8.47 (m, 1H), 8.37−8.33 (m, 1H), 7.85−7.79 (m, general procedure as described above in 56% yield (56 mg). It was
1H), 7.62−7.57 (m, 1H), 7.52−7.43 (m, 4H), 3.97−3.91 (m, 2H), purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to
2.79−2.70 (m, 1H), 2.43−2.33 (m, 1H), 2.09−2.00 (m, 1H), 1.92− afford 5b as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.51−8.48
1.85 (m, 1H), 1.76 (s, 3H), 1.10 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (m, 1H), 8.40−8.37 (m, 1H), 7.86−7.81 (m, 1H), 7.57 (td, J = 7.6,
(100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 172.6, 172.1, 149.6, 144.0, 140.6, 132.1, 131.3, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.49−7.42 (m, 4H), 2.46 (dd, J = 14.1, 8.3 Hz, 1H), 2.08
128.0, 126.1, 126.0, 126.0, 125.7, 123.0, 119.9, 115.7, 60.6, 48.7, 36.9, (dd, J = 14.1, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 1.69 (s, 3H), 1.34−1.27 (m, 1H), 0.63 (d,
30.2, 29.1, 14.0; IR (neat) νmax 3099, 3061, 2972, 1729, 1455, 1215, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.57 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz,
770; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C21H21N2O3 [M + H]+ CDCl3) δ 173.5, 149.8, 144.0, 141.8, 131.6, 131.4, 127.5, 126.6, 125.9,
349.1530, found 349.1546. 125.5, 122.6, 119.7, 115.7, 50.5, 48.5, 31.4, 25.6, 23.8, 22.3; IR (neat)

12918 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c01555
J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 12908−12921
The Journal of Organic Chemistry pubs.acs.org/joc Article

νmax 3065, 2960, 2874, 1715, 1355, 1157, 761; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/ 201002, India; orcid.org/0000-0003-1587-8265;
z calcd for C20H21N2O [M + H]+ 305.1653, found 305.1666. Email: praveenreddy@iict.res.in
5-Methyl-5-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methyl]benzo[4,5]-
imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (5c).13 The title compound Authors
was prepared according to the general procedure as described above Vankudoth Ramesh − Department of Organic Synthesis and
in 66% yield (69 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20%
EtOAc/hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 5c as a colorless oil: 1H NMR
Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical
(500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.49 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.39−8.36 (m, Technology, Hyderabad 500007 Telangana, India; Academy
1H), 7.85−7.81 (m, 1H), 7.61−7.56 (m, 1H), 7.51−7.43 (m, 4H), of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad
3.70−3.62 (m, 2H), 3.05−2.93 (m, 2H), 2.53 (dd, J = 14.3, 6.9 Hz, 201002, India
1H), 2.10 (dd, J = 14.3, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 1.69 (s, 3H), 1.25−1.19 (m, Maram Gangadhar − Department of Organic Synthesis and
2H), 1.15−1.03 (m, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 173.1, Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical
149.6, 144.0, 141.4, 131.7, 131.3, 127.7, 126.4, 126.0, 125.9, 125.6, Technology, Hyderabad 500007 Telangana, India; Academy
122.5, 119.7, 115.7, 67.4, 48.3, 48.1, 33.7, 32.8, 32.4, 31.6; IR (neat) of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad
νmax 3020, 2936, 2842, 1714, 1451, 1215, 751; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/ 201002, India
z calcd for C22H23N2O2 [M + H]+ 347.1756, found 347.1776.
5-[(2,3-Dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)methyl]-5-methylbenzo[4,5]-
Jagadeesh Babu Nanubolu − Academy of Scientific and
imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (5d). The title compound was Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
prepared according to the general procedure as described above in Centre for NMR and Structural Chemistry, CSIR-Indian
58% yield (66 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007
EtOAc/hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 5d as a colorless oil: 1H NMR Telangana, India
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.56−8.50 (m, 1H), 8.45−8.36 (m, 1H), 7.89−
7.82 (m, 1H), 7.64−7.56 (m, 1H), 7.55−7.44 (m, 4H), 7.00−6.90 Complete contact information is available at:
(m, 4H), 2.81 (dd, J = 13.9, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 2.51 (dd, J = 8.8, 2.5 Hz, https://pubs.acs.org/10.1021/acs.joc.1c01555
2H), 2.46−2.36 (m, 2H), 2.27 (dd, J = 15.4, 9.9 Hz, 1H), 2.12−2.01
(m, 1H), 1.79 (s, 3H); 13C{1H} NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 173.3, Notes
149.7, 143.7, 142.5, 141.7, 131.8, 131.2, 127.9, 126.6, 126.0, 125.7, The authors declare no competing financial interest.


124.0, 123.9, 122.6, 119.7, 115.8, 49.1, 48.1, 39.6, 39.0, 38.2, 30.2; IR
(neat) νmax 3023, 2931, 2842, 1715, 1453, 1359, 1165, 759; HRMS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
(ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C26H23N2O [M + H]+ 379.1810, found
379.1824. V.R. thanks CSIR for a fellowship, and M.G. thanks UGC for a
5-(Cyclopentylmethyl)-5-methylbenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]- fellowship. The authors thank CSIR for financial support (34/
isoquinolin-6(5H)-one (5e).13 The title compound was prepared 1/TD-CLP/NCP-FBR 2020-RPPBDD-TMD-Se-MI). The
according to the general procedure as described above in 65% yield authors thank the Laboratory of X-ray Crystallography,
(64 mg). It was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc/ CSIR-IICT, for X-ray analysis. The authors thank the Director
hexanes; Rf = 0.5) to afford 5e as a colorless oil: 1H NMR (500 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 8.49 (dd, J = 8.1, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 8.42−8.37 (m, 1H), 7.86−
of CSIR-IICT for the generous support (IICT/Pubs./2021/
097).


7.81 (m, 1H), 7.60−7.54 (m, 1H), 7.51−7.41 (m, 4H), 2.53 (dd, J =
13.8, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 2.18 (dd, J = 13.8, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 1.73 (s, 3H), 1.41−
1.15 (m, 7H), 0.99−0.90 (m, 1H), 0.85−0.75 (m, 1H); 13C{1H} REFERENCES
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127.6, 126.6, 125.8, 125.5, 122.7, 119.7, 115.7, 49.1, 37.4, 33.5, 32.4, Cambridge University Press: New York, 2004. (b) McGrath, N. A.;
30.0, 24.8, 24.5; IR (neat) νmax 3064, 2948, 2867, 1714, 1450, 1355, Brichacek, M.; Njardarson, J. T. A Graphical Journey of Innovative
1182, 761; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z calcd for C22H23N2O [M + H]+ Organic Architectures That Have Improved Our Lives. J. Chem. Educ.
331.1810, found 331.1825.


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■ AUTHOR INFORMATION
Corresponding Author
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