Synthesis of Tetrahydroisoquinolines Through an Iron-Catalyzed Cascade: Tandem Alcohol Substitution and Hydroamination

Org Lett. 2019 Sep 6;21(17):6741-6744. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.9b02353. Epub 2019 Aug 16.

Abstract

Rapid assembly of saturated nitrogen heterocycles-the synthetically more challenging variants of their aromatic relatives-can expedite the synthesis of biologically relevant molecules. Starting from a benzylic alcohol tethered to an unactivated alkene, an iron-catalyzed tandem alcohol substitution and hydroamination provides access to tetrahydroisoquinolines in a single synthetic step. Using a mild iron-based catalyst, the combination of these operations forms two carbon-nitrogen bonds and provides a unique annulation strategy to access this valuable core.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / chemistry*
  • Amination
  • Catalysis
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / chemical synthesis*
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / chemistry

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines
  • Iron