Synthesis of rhodium(iii)-catalyzed isoquinoline derivatives from allyl carbonates and benzimidates with hydrogen evolution.

A novel Rh(iii)-catalyzed cascade C-H activation/cyclization approach to access isoquinoline derivatives from benzimidates and available allyl carbonates with the liberation of H2 has been realized. Allyl carbonates were first used as a versatile and universal C2 synthon to synthesize this biological activity skeleton via an efficient and practical process just within 1 h.