N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Photooxidation: Intramolecular Cross Dehydrogenative Coupling of Tetrahydroisoquinoline-Tethered Aldehydes

An N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed photooxidation reaction via intramolecular cross dehydrogenative coupling of tetrahydroisoquinoline-tethered aldehydes was developed, giving the corresponding oxidative cyclization products in moderate to good yields. This reaction features mild conditions with oxygen as the terminal oxidant in the absence of photocatalyst.