One-Pot Synthesis of Imidazolyl Isoquinolines under a Palladium-Catalyzed C–H Activation/Annulation (CHAA) Reaction

A microwave-assisted Pd-catalyzed one-pot C–H activation/annulation (CHAA) protocol has been developed for the synthesis of imidazo[2,1- a ]isoquinolines and benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1- a ]isoquinolines. Further N -alkylation for the preparation of a series of the corresponding isoquinolium salts has also been demonstrated. The fluorescent properties of these isoquinolines have been studied.