Construction of alkenyl-isoquinolinones through NHC-catalyzed remote C(sp3)–H acylation and cascade cyclization of benzamides and enals

Available online A general and efficient method for constructing alkenyl-substituted isoquinolinones through N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis was described. The functionalization of benzamides with various enals proceeds smoothly through an N-center radical-mediated remote C (sp3)–H acylation and a cascade intramolecular hemiacetalization process. The newly designed thiazolium NHCs, exhibiting superior catalytic efficacy to activate the challenging enal substrates, is key to the success of this chemistry. This catalytic protocol further expands the generality of N-heterocyclic carbene radical catalysis.