Base-Promoted Tandem Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydroisoquinolones.

Using benzaldehydes, NaN(SiMe 3 ) 2 , and N -acylpyrroles, an operationally simple tandem method to produce a wide array of 3,4-dihydroisoquinolones is presented (37 examples, yields up to 98%). A unique feature of this method stems from the sequential aminobenzylation of aldehydes and transamidation of the corresponding N -(trimethylsilyl)imines in one pot. In this process, three new bonds are generated (one C-C and two C-N bonds).