Three-Component Synthesis of Isoquinoline Derivatives by a Relay Catalysis with a Single Rhodium(III) Catalyst.

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed one-pot three-component reaction of N-methoxybenzamide, α-diazoester, and alkyne was developed, providing an alternative way to synthesize isoquinoline derivatives. Mechanistically, it is a relay catalysis, and the reaction occurred via successive O-alkylation and C-H activation processes, both of which were promoted by the same catalyst.