Abstract Glutaconic anhydride (9) reacts with N-substituted benzimidoyl chlorides 3 to give the corresponding (Z)-3-[(amino)(phenyl) methylene] pyrandiones 12, whereas with 1- chloroisoquinoline (4) the benzo [a] quinolizinone 13 is obtained. The reactions of α- methylhomophthalic anhydride (10) with 3 and the imidate 7 lead to the 1 (2H)- isoquinolinones 14 and 19, respectively, and with 4 to the 13-methyldibenzo [a, g] ...