Iridium(I)-Catalyzed Isoindolinone-Directed Branched-Selective Aromatic C-H Alkylation with Simple Alkenes.

We report an iridium(I)-catalyzed branched-selective C-H alkylation of N -arylisoindolinones with simple alkenes as the alkylating agents. The amide carbonyl group of the isoindolinone motif acts as the directing group to assist the ortho C-H activation of the N -aryl ring. With this atom-economic and highly branched-selective protocol, an array of biologically relevant N -arylisoindolinones were obtained in good yields. Asymmetric control was achieved with up to 87:13 er when a BiPhePhos-like chiral ligand was employed.