the three-component reaction of 2-(2-oxopropyl)isoindoline-1,3-dione with alkyl isocyanides and aromatic carboxylic acids under catalyst-free conditions in water

a green and convenient protocol is described for the preparation of 1-(alkylamino)-3-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-2-methyl-1-oxopropan-2-yl benzoates via one-pot three-component reaction between 2-(2-oxopropyl)isoindoline-1,3-dione, an alkyl isocyanide and an aromatic carboxylic acid in water at room temperature. the methods used to follow the reactions are tlc and nmr, which indicated that there is no side product and the products were obtained without any purification. the structures of the products were deduced from their 1h nmr, 13c nmr and ir spectra. the present methodology offers several advantages such as a simple procedure, catalyst-free, mild reaction conditions, high yields, and the absence of any volatile and hazardous organic solvents.