Palladium-catalyzed chemoselective synthesis of indane-1,3-dione derivatives via tert-butyl isocyanide insertion.

A simple and efficient strategy for the synthesis of indane-1,3-dione derivatives through a palladium(0)-catalyzed reaction incorporating tert-butyl isocyanide has been developed. In addition, by applying this protocol as the key step, indenopyrazole derivatives can be easily synthesized in high yields in a one-pot procedure. This methodology is tolerant of a wide range of substrates and applicable to library synthesis.