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Synthesis of isoquinolines

Recent Literature

Reaction of N-carbamoyl-functionalized enamine derivatives with benzyne affords substituted indolines. An orthogonal reactivity is uncovered when related enamine derivatives are modified as amides, such that isoquinolines are formed as the product of condensation with benzyne.
C. D. Gilmore, K. M. Allan, B. M. Stoltz, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008, 130, 1558-1559.

Readily available 2-azido-3-arylacrylates react with α-diazocarbonyl compounds and triphenylphosphine to furnish isoquinolines in good yields. The efficient and general procedure involves a Wolff rearrangement, an aza-Wittig reaction, and an electrocyclic ring closure.
Y.-Y. Yang, W.-G. Shou, Z.-B. Chen, D. Hong, Y.-G. Wang, J. Org. Chem., 2008, 73, 3928-3930.

The direct conversion of various amides to isoquinoline and β-carboline derivatives via mild electrophilic amide activation, with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride in the presence of 2-chloropyridine followed by cyclodehydration upon warming provides the desired products with short overall reaction times.
M. Movassaghi, M. D. Hill, Org. Lett., 2008, 10, 3485-3488.