A novel three-component reaction designed by the combinatorial method: heteroarenes, isothiocyanates and isocyanides.

The novel three-component reaction of isoquinoline with isothiocyanates and isocyanides leads to a variety of new imidazoisoquinolines. The zwitterionic ground state of these new ring systems is established by means of NMR and X-ray analysis. Use of phthalazine instead of isoquinoline gives access to imidazole annulated phthalazines.