Synthesis of 3,3′‐Disubstituted Isobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐Ones via Cs0.5H2.5PW₁₂O₄₀‐Catalyzed Difunctionalization of Carbonyls

We reported a method for the synthesis of 3,3′‐disubstituted isobenzofuran‐1(3 H )‐ones via the carbonyl difunctionalization of 2‐acylbenzoic acids. A range of nucleophiles was reacted with 2‐acylbenzoic acids to furnish the functionalized isobenzofuran‐1(3 H )‐ones with the factual yield range of 61–96%. The reaction uses Cs 0.5 H 2.5 PW 12 O 40 as a catalyst and produces water as the sole by‐product. Various functional groups could be introduced to the isobenzofuran‐1(3 H )‐one skeletons via the C−P/C−N/C−O/C−C bond formation, which would provide opportunities for the synthesis of potential biologically active molecules. Based on the preliminary experiments, a plausible mechanism is proposed. magnified image