An
electrochemical protocol for the construction of substituted
isoindolinones via reduction/amidation of 2-carboxybenzaldehydes and
amines has been realized. Under metal-free and external-reductant-free
electrolytic conditions, the reaction achieves the cascade formation
of intermolecular C–N bonds and provides a series of isoindolinones
in moderate to good yields. The deuterium-labeling experiment proves
that the hydrogen in the methylene of the product is mainly provided
by H2O in the system.