Asymmetric synthesis of 1-substituted tetra-hydroisoquinolines alkaloids

Abstract

Due to widespread occurrence in nature and marked physiological action, 1- substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids have long offered intensive targets for synthesis.1 in this regard, the enantioselective construction of 1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline has attracted growing attention in the last decade.2 We describe here in this communication a novel asymmetric approach to the synthesis of 1- substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline by deprotonation of an -amino nitrile and alkylation of the resulting carbanion followed by asymmetric reduction3