Abstract A novel Pd-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization via tert-butyl isocyanide insertion from 2-(2-bromophenyl)-1H-indoles has been developed, which demonstrates the utility of isocyanides in C–N or C–C bond construction. Treatment of 2-(2-bromophenyl)-1H-indoles with tert-butyl isocyanide affords 6H-isoindolo [2, 1-a] indol-6-ones with high efficiency. However, N-methyl or N-Boc protected 2-(2-bromophenyl)-1H-indoles gives ...