Fused multifunctionalized isoindole-1,3-diones via the coupled oxidation of imidazoles and tetraynes

The facile synthesis of fused multifunctionalized isoindole-1,3-diones by a hexadehydro-Diels-Alder domino reaction of various substituted tetraynes and imidazole derivatives is reported. The overall transformation involved the formation of three new C-C bonds and two new C-aryl-O bonds via intramolecular cyclization and intermolecular coupling oxidation reactions.