Enantioselective synthesis of 4-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular Friedel-Crafts type allylic alkylation of phenols

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular Friedel-Crafts type allylic alkylation reaction of phenols was developed under mild conditions. In the presence of Pd-2(dba)(3) with (1R,2R)-DACH-phenyl Trost ligand (L2) in toluene at 50 degrees C, the reaction provides various C4 substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines with moderate to excellent yields, regioselectivity and enantioselectivity.