The reaction of diyne 1 which has nitrogen in a tether with chromium c
arbene complex 2 afforded isoindoline 4 in good yield. In this reactio
n, the two carbene carbons (carbene carbon of chromium carbene complex
and carbon monoxide) reacted with the two alkynes, respectively, to f
orm an aromatic ring, that is, [2+2+1+1] cocyclization. Using this pro
cedure, isoquinoline derivatives, 6a, 7a, and 9a, were synthesized.