Synthesis of New Fused Isoquinolines Via Reissert Compounds

Reissert compounds 2 derived from isoquinoline, chloroformates and TMS-cyanide were alkylated in position 1. The resulting alkylation products 3 as well as the precursors 2 reacted with Grignard reagents affording imidazoisoquinolines 4, 5, 7 and 8 by addition to the cyano group and Grignard reduction or by twofold addition to the cyano group, respectively. In both cases the alcohol of the 2-alkoxycarbonyl moiety was eliminated by attack of the N-atom at the carbonyl carbon atom. Under acid conditions, 1-benzylated Reissert compound 3h cyclised by attack of the resulting N-acyliminium C-atom at the o-position of the benzyl ring to form tetracyclic 1,3-bridged tetrahydroisoquinolines 10 and 11. Bromocyclisation of 1-allyl-2-menthyloxycarbonyl-substituted Reissert compounds 3b, c led to tricyclic dibromo products 12, in which the menthol moiety was split off and addition to the enamine double bond occurred. A 2-menthyloxycarbonyl group in Reissert compounds 2a and 3 failed to exert an asymmetric induction in all cases.