Selected recent advances in the stereoselective synthesis of isoquinoline and β-carboline derivatives with the use of chiral auxiliaries of natural origin

Various aspects of stereoselective synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines and tetrahydro-beta-carbolines with the use of natural compounds as chirality sources are reviewed. The following low molecular weight substrates are considered: carbohydrates, isoprenoids, hydroxyacids, alkaloids and amino acids. Examples of various synthetic methodologies that employ the above derivatives as chiral building blocks. chiral auxiliaries or chiral ligands are presented.