Photocatalytic Synthesis of Isoquinolinediones via the Cascade Reaction of <i>N</i>-Alkyl-<i>N</i>-methylacrylamides with Diazo Compounds

Carbon radicals generated from acceptor diazo compounds prefer to add to electron-rich olefins and heteroarenes due to their containing electron-withdrawing groups. Herein, a cascade reaction of acceptor diazo compounds with electron-deficient olefins is developed. In the presence of visible light and Ru catalyst, diazo compounds generate carbon radicals via proton-coupled electron transfer process, followed by addition with various <i>N</i>-alkyl-<i>N</i>-methylacrylamides and subsequent cyclization to give a series of acyl-substituted isoquinolinediones.