Nickel(0)-Catalyzed Cyclization of N-Benzoylaminals for Isoindolinone Synthesis

A nickel(0) catalyst effectively mediates the cyclization of N-benzoyl aminals in the presence of a stoichiometric Lewis acid. This method enables preparation of a variety of isoindolinones with substitution on the benzoyl fragment and C-3 carbon. This reaction likely proceeds via an α-amidoalkylnickel(II) intermediate, which then may cyclize via either an electrophilic aromatic substitution or an insertion pathway.