A synthetic method has been developed for the preparation of biologically important isoindolinones including indoprofen and DWP205190 drugs from 2-alkylbenzamide substrates by transition metal-free intramolecular selective oxidative coupling of C(sp3)–H and N–H bonds utilizing iodine, potassium carbonate and di-tert-butyl peroxide in acetonitrile at 110–140 °C.
