One-pot synthesis of polycyclic isoindolines using isoindole umpolung.

Using an isoindole umpolung strategy, a one-pot synthesis of polycyclic isoindolines was accomplished. In this reaction, the in situ -generated nucleophilic isoindoles were converted to electrophilic isoindoliums via protonation, which underwent a Pictet-Spengler-type cyclization to afford a variety of polycyclic isoindolines in good yields.