An expeditious total synthesis of (±)-jamtine using condensation between imine and acid anhydride

A totally convergent and very short (three steps) synthesis of (+/-)-jamtine was described. The key step of this sequence was the condensation of 6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride under microwave activation which occurred in good yield and high diastereomeric selectivity. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.