A series of 4-formyl esters 8a-d was prepared by Michael addition of an enamine with ethyl acrylate. A subsequent condensation with 2-bromobenzylamines 3 gave rise to cyclic enamides 9aa-dd. In a Heck cyclization reaction tricyclic isoindoles 10aa-dd were formed in good yields. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.