Silver-Catalyzed Cascade Radical Bicyclization Reaction: An Atom- and Step-Economical Strategy Accessing γ-Lactam Containing Isoquinolinediones.

An efficient and convenient method for the cascade radical bicyclization of N -phenyl-4-pentenamides with N -methyl- N -methacryloylbenzamides under silver-catalyzed conditions is described. Based on this newly developed strategy, a variety of valuable γ-lactam containing isoquinolinediones can be effectively synthesized in one step within 0.5 h, during which two C-C bonds, one C-N bond, and two new N -heterocycles were formed concurrently. With N -aryl allyl carbamates, similar 2-oxazolidinone substituted isoquinolinedione compounds can likewise be produced. The approach demonstrates wide functional group compatibility, high step- and atom-economy, and the ability to be scaled up to gram quantities in a satisfactory yield. It marks the first instance of introducing γ-lactams into isoquinoline-1,3( 2H , 4H )-diones to construct linked hybrid drug-like molecules, thereby making this strategy highly attractive to drug discovery.