Direct synthesis of phthalimides via palladium-catalysed double carbonylation of o -dihaloarenes with nitroarenes.

The direct carbonylation of readily available nitro compounds is more attractive and straightforward than the use of traditional amines as nucleophiles. Herein, a practical palladium-catalysed double carbonylation of nitroarenes with o -dihaloarenes has been developed for the construction of various N -aryl phthalimides. Key to the success of this transformation is the use of Mo(CO) 6 , which acts as both a reducing agent and a solid carbonyl source. A wide range of nitroarenes and o -dihaloarenes as well as o -iodobenzoic acids reacted smoothly to give phthalimides in 27-94% yields.