One approach for the synthesis of isoindolinones, a privileged bioactive heterocyclic core structure, involves a condensation reaction of o-phthaldialdehydes with a suitable nitrogen-containing nucleophile. This fascinating reaction is revisited here in the context of the use of o-phthaldialdehydes that contain additional substituents in the aromatic ring leading to a detailed analysis of the regioselectivity of the reaction. Eleven monosubstituted o-phthaldialdehydes were synthesised and reacted with alanine. The regioselectivity observed across the eleven substrates led to the design of a disubstituted substrate that reacted with very high control. A gram-scale reaction followed by esterification gave one major regioisomer in high yield. In addition, the regioselectivity observed on reaction of two novel monodeuterated substrates led to an increased mechanistic understanding.

合成异吲哚啉酮（一种特权的生物活性杂环核心结构）的一种方法涉及邻苯二甲醛与合适的含氮亲核试剂的缩合反应。在使用在芳环中包含其他取代基的邻苯二甲醛的背景下，重新审视了这一迷人的反应，从而对该反应的区域选择性进行了详细分析。十一个单取代的邻位合成了苯二醛并与丙氨酸反应。跨十一个底物观察到的区域选择性导致设计了在非常高的控制下反应的双取代底物。克级反应，然后酯化，以高收率得到了一种主要的区域异构体。此外，在两种新型单氘代底物反应时观察到的区域选择性导致对机理的了解增加。