3-Isochromanone may be used as starting reagent in the synthesis of of BDPBI (7-bromo-1,4-dihydro-2-phenyl-4,4-bis(4-pyridinylmethyl)2H-isoquinolin-3-one dihydrochloride).
3-Isochromanone has been reported to be isolated from the fungus Nigrosporasp. PSU-F12. An improved Knoevenagel condensation of 3-isochromanone with aromatic aldehydes has been achieved by microwave irradiation on solid supports in the presence of various catalysts. Synthesis of 3-isochromanone via Beayer-Villiger rearrangement has been reported