Practical and efficient iridium catalysis for benzannulation: an entry to isoindolines.

Iridium(III) catalysis provides a convenient and general method for the synthesis of isoindolines via [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions of diynes and alkynes. The reaction proceeds smoothly in environmentally benign and non-distilled isopropyl alcohol, providing highly functionalized aromatic compounds in moderate to excellent yields.