Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines through Cu-Catalyzed Condensation/Addition/Oxidation/Cyclization Cascade

We have developed a copper-catalyzed synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines with terminal alkynes, aldehydes, and tetrahydroisoquinolines. A variety of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines have been prepared in 17-69% yield via a condensation/Mannich-type addition/oxidation/cyclization cascade sequence. Modifications through simple chemical transformations provided highly functionalized molecules containing a privileged framework.

Unprecedented access to functionalized pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines from the domino reaction of isoquinolinium ylides and electrophilic benzannulated heterocycles

We have come across an unexpected reaction between electrophilic indoles and isoquinolinium methylides for accessing functionalized pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines. The reaction was found in general to yield the products in good yields. We also observed the formation of S-S-bridged bis-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines from the reaction of 3-nitro benzothiophene and isoquinolinium methylides.

A simple and efficient metal free, additive, or base free dehydrogenation of tetrahydroisoquinolines using oxygen as a clean oxidant

Metal free dehydrogenation of various substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines via a simple and convenient metal free, atom economical route for the synthesis of corresponding isoquinolines under oxygen atmosphere in N-methyl-2-pyrollidone (NMP) is described. Metal free dehydrogenation was carried out without the use of additive or base. A scope of the methodology was demonstrated for a number of aryl and heteroaryl substitutions present at C1 position and ester moiety at C3 position and was found to be good substrates. Substituted isoquinolines (3a–3h) and their esters (3i–3m) were synthesized in very good to excellent yields.

Synthesis of pyrrolidinedione-fused hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines via three-component [3 + 2] cycloaddition followed by one-pot N-allylation and intramolecular Heck reactions

Two kinds of [3 + 2] cycloaddition intermediates generated from the three-component reactions of 2-bromobenzaldehydes and maleimides with amino esters or amino acids were used for a one-pot N-allylation and intramolecular Heck reactions to form pyrrolidinedione-fused hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines. The multicomponent reaction was combined with one-pot reactions to make a synthetic method with good pot, atom and step economy. MeCN was used as a preferable green solvent for the reactions.

Highly diastereoselective construction of novel dispiropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivativesviamulticomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of cyclic diketones-based tetrahydroisoquinoliniumN-ylides

In the quest for new heterocyclic scaffolds exhibiting potentially biological activities for medicinal chemistry, a multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of tetrahydroisoquinolinium N-ylides, generated in situ from cyclic diketones and isoquinoline, and (E)-3-arylidene-1-phenyl-pyrrolidine-2,5-diones has been developed. This route provides workable access to dispiropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-fused pyrrolidine-2,5-diones bearing two adjacent spiro-carbons. An unprecedented regioselectivity was observed in this 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, leading to the construction of a novel dispirooxindole skeleton. The structure and relative stereochemistry of the spiranic adducts have been confirmed by three X-ray diffraction studies. To reinforce the observed regio- and stereoselectivity of the [3+2] cycloaddition, calculations using the DFT approach at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level were carried out. It was found that this reaction affords the kinetic products.

A new series of dispiropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives was synthesized by multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of tetrahydroisoquinolinium N-ylides and (E)-3-arylidene-1-phenyl-pyrrolidine-2,5-diones.

Copper-Catalyzed Benign and Efficient Oxidation of Tetrahydroisoquinolines and Dihydroisoquinolines Using Air as a Clean Oxidant

A green chemical method for mild oxidation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) and 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines (DHIQs) has been developed using air (O₂) as a clean oxidant. DHIQs and THIQs could be efficiently oxidized to isoquinolines in dimethyl sulfoxide at 25 °C under an open air atmosphere with CuBr₂ (20 mol %) as the catalyst; different bases [NaOEt and/or 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene] were used for the reaction according to the patterns of substituents (R¹, R²).

Tungstic acid-functionalized MCM-41 as a novel mesoporous solid acid catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of new pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines

Tungstic acid-functionalized MCM-41 (MCM-41–HWO₄) was prepared, characterized and applied as a reusable mesoporous catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of new pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives.

Synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines by multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives were synthesized by one-pot three-component reactions starting from isoquinoline, 2-bromoacetophenones and different non-symmetrical acetylenic dipolarophiles using 1,2-epoxypropane as solvent. The structure of the compounds was assigned by IR and NMR spectroscopy.