We report a new MCR involving the reaction of isatoic anhydrides, allyl amine and o-bromo arylaldehydes in the presence of Pd(OAc)2, X-Phos and air to afford various isoquinolino[1,2-b]quinazolinones as new cytotoxic agents. The strategy was extended successfully towards the synthesis of a methyl analogue of 7,8-dehydrorutaecarpine.
