A novel and unexpected reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldoximes with ketenes in the presence of silver triflate (10 mol%) under mild conditions is discovered. This reaction proceeds through 6-endo-cyclization, [3 + 2] cycloaddition, and rearrangement, leading to isoquinoline derivatives in moderate to good yields.

Diversity-oriented synthesis of the biologically intriguing imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-fused isoquinoline systems from readily available starting materials was achieved through the Groebke-Blackburn-Bienaymé reaction followed by a gold-catalyzed cyclization strategy. The synthetic approach is characterized by mild reaction conditions and a broad substrate scope, allowing for the rapid construction ...

A racemic, prenylated polyketide dimer, oxazinin A (1), was isolated from a novel filamentous fungus in the class Eurotiomycetes, and its structure was elucidated spectroscopically. The pentacyclic structure of oxazinin A (1) is a unique combination of benzoxazine, isoquinoline, and a pyran ring. Oxazinin A (1) exhibited antimycobacterial activity and modestly antagonized transient receptor pot...

A simple and efficient approach to biologically important 1-trifluoromethylated isoquinolines starting with readily prepared β-aryl-α-isocyano-acrylates and the commercially available Togni reagent as the CF3 radical precursor is described. These transformations occur in the absence of any transition metals and the title compounds are obtained in moderate to excellent yields. This protocol comp...

Recently, our laboratory demonstrated that human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) are capable of synthesizing morphine, the major active metabolite of opium poppy. Now our experiments are further substantiated by extending the biochemical studies to the entire morphine pathway in this human cell line. L-[1,2,3-13C3]- and [ring-2',5',6'-2H3]dopa showed high isotopic enrichment and incorporation in ...

Two tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids were extracted from the alkaloid fraction of a methanol extract of the seeds of Calycotome Villosa Subsp. intermedia. Their structures were established as (R)-1-hydroxymethyl-7-8-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- isoquinoline (1) and (S)-7-hydroxymethyl-2-3-dimethoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydroisoquinoline chloride (2) by spectroscopic techniques and X-ray diffraction a...

Asymmetric hydrogenation of heteroaromatic compounds has emerged as a promising new route to saturated or partially saturated chiral heterocyclic compounds. In this Account, we outline recent advances in asymmetric hydrogenation of heteroaromatic compounds, including indole, quinoline, isoquinoline, furan, and pyridine derivatives, using chiral organometallic catalysts and organocatalysts.

The title compound, C(15)H(13)N(3), contains two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The isoquinoline moiety and phenyl rings form dihedral angles of 4.38 (2) and 10.14 (3)° in the two independent mol-ecules. The crystal packing is stabilized by N-H⋯N mol-ecular dimers formed across a center of symmetry.

Chiral-anion phase-transfer catalysis (PTC) has been applied towards the enantioselective fluorocyclization reactions of 1,3-dienes. The method affords unprecedented fluorinated benz[f]isoquinoline and octahydroisoquinoline products in high yields and up to 96 % ee. New fluorinated amine reagents outperformed Selectfluor in the desired transformation.

Multicomponent reactions involving azines (4-methylpyridine, isoquinoline and N-methyl imidazole) and acetylenic ester were undertaken in the presence of CH compound such as 2-furoyl trifluoroacetone(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-thiophen-2-yl-butan-1,3-dione) to generate enaminoesters as stable 1,4-diionic compounds in high yields.