An efficient and mild cascade reaction of acryloylbenzamides with N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) esters is disclosed. It goes through radical addition and subsequent cyclization to give 4-alkylated isoquinolinediones in the presence of visible light and photocatalyst Ir[dF(CF3)ppy(2)](dtbbpy)PF6.(C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.