A New Approach to Isoindolinones: Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed [3+2] Annulation Reactions of N‐Methoxybenzamides with Bis(tosylamido)methane

A new approach to the synthesis of isoindolinones via direct coupling of N‐methoxybenzamides and bis(tosylamido)methane with rhodium(III) as catalyst has been developed. The reaction is performed under mild conditions without oxidant, and is compatible with various functional groups. Compared with the previously reported methods for constructing isoindolinone skeletons, this method involves a novel [3+2] cyclization, and affords a wide variety of isoindolinones in moderate to excellent yields.