Nickel-catalyzed C–O/N–H, C–S/N–H, and C–CN/N–H annulation of aromatic amides with alkynes: C–O, C–S, and C–CN activation

The Ni-catalyzed reaction of ortho-phenoxy-substituted aromatic amides with alkynes in the presence of LiO(t)Bu as a base results in C–O/N–H annulation with the formation of 1(2H)-isoquinolinones. The use of a base is essential for the reaction to proceed. The reaction proceeds, even in the absence of a ligand, and under mild reaction conditions (40 °C). An electron-donating group on the aromatic ring facilitates the reaction. The reaction was also applicable to carbamate (C–O bond activation), methylthio (C–S bond activation), and cyano (C–CN bond activation) groups as leaving groups.