Zinc oxide nanoparticles catalyzed condensation reaction of isocoumarins and 1,7-heptadiamine in the formation of bis-isoquinolinones.

The diversified bis-isoquinolinones were obtained in two steps, utilizing homophthalic acid and various acid chlorides providing 3-substituted isocoumarins in the first step which on further condensation with 1,7-heptadiamine involving C-N bond formation from the lactone in the presence of 10 mol% zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) (<150 nm) afforded the desired bis-isoquinolinones in high yield and purity. The synthesized compounds were then characterized using FTIR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and HRMS techniques.