The synthesis of N-heterocycles using ortho-metallated primary benzylamine complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II)

The synthesis of the isoindolinimines (5) by the insertion of isocyanides into the metal–carbon bond of the ortho-palladated primary benzylamine complex (1a) is described; the novel oxidative addition and susbsequent reductive elimination of the ortho-metallated primary benzylamine–platinum complex (6) yields 3-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (8).