One‐Pot Synthesis of 3‐Alkoxy‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐isoindol‐1‐ones by the Reactions of 2‐(Azidomethyl)benzoates with NaH

A new and facile method for the general preparation of 3-alkoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-ones has been developed. Thus, the reaction of 2-(azidomethyl)benzoates with NaH affords, after workup with H2O, 3-alkoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-ones 2. 2-Substituted 3-alkoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-ones 4 can be obtained by adding alkyl halides prior to workup with H2O.