Practical Synthesis of Phthalimides and Benzamides by a Multicomponent Reaction Involving Arynes, Isocyanides, and CO2/H2O

Transition-metal-free multicomponent reactions involving arynes and isocyanides with either CO2 or H2O have been reported. With CO2 as the third component, the reactions resulted in the formation of N-substituted phthalimides. The utility of water as the third component furnished benzamide derivatives in moderate to good yields. These reactions took place under mild conditions with broad scope.