C-1 Alkynylation of N-Methyltetrahydroisoquinolines through CDC: A Direct Access to Phenethylisoquinoline Alkaloids

Direct cross-coupling between N-methyltetrahydroisoquinolines and alkynes using CuI-DEAD is presented. It affords the regioselective C-1-alkynylated products in good yield. This regioselectivity is in contrast to the results reported earlier in the reaction of N,N-dimethylbenzyl amine where the N-methyl alkynylated product was formed exclusively or predominantly. The C-1-substituted propargylic isoquinolines were easily reduced to phenethylisoquinolines with Pd/C. This reaction sequence provides a short route to synthesize methopholine, homolaudanosine and other phenethylisoquinoline alkaloids.