Intramolecular Heck reactions of aryl chlorides with alkynes

We have developed a reaction that affords the selective preparation of hexahydro-2H-pyrido[2,1 -a]isoquinoline dienes, allenes, or alkenes via an intramolecular Heck cyclization of an aryl chloride with an alkyne. Tricyclic isoquinoline core structures of this nature are difficult to access by alternative methods. The unsaturated product formed can be partially controlled by choice of ligand and reaction solvent. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.