Cascade 1,3-Diploar Cycloaddition and Lactamization for Diastereoselective Synthesis of Pyrrolidinedione-Fused Tetrahydropyrroloisoindolones.

A cascade reaction sequence of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and lactamization for the synthesis of tetrahydropyrroloisoindolone derivatives is developed. This efficient one-pot synthesis generates four bonds and two heterocyclic rings in a diastereoselective manner. Only 2 equiv of H 2 O are produced as the side product.