Solid-phase synthesis of isoindolinones and naturally-occurring benzobutyrolactones (phthalides) using a cyclative-cleavage approach

Starting from Merrifield resin, 2-formylbenzoic acids were immobilized on solid supports. Reactions between immobilized 2-formylbenzoic acids and different organometallic reagents (Grignard reagents, zinc reagents, allyl silanes via Sakurai type reactions) furnished secondary alcohols which cyclized depending on the metal counter ion and reaction conditions, forming benzoannelated lactones. Asymmetric synthesis was possible on the resin using chiral [2.2]paracyclophane ligands. While the reaction of immobilized ortho-carboxy benzaldehydes with primary amines at elevated temperatures yielded 3-hydroxyisoindolinones, a reaction at ambient temperature allowed imine formation, which underwent 1,2-addition-cleavage reaction with various nucleophiles, yielding isoindolinones with three points of diversity.