Synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted isoquinolines via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of 2-(1-alkynyl)benzaldimines and organic halides

The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of readily available N-tert-butyl-2-(1-alkynyl)benzaldimines and aryl, allylic, benzylic, alkynyl halides, as well as a vinylic halide, provides a valuable new route to 3,4-disubstituted isoquinolines with aryl, allylic, benzylic, 1-alkynyl, and vinylic substituents, respectively, in the 4-position. The reaction appears to require an aryl group on the end of the acetylene furthest from the imine functionality. The reaction conditions have been optimized, and reasonably good yields have been obtained.