Formylation and Bromination of Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline Derivatives with Bromoisobutyrate and Dimethyl Sulfoxide

We have developed an efficient formylation of pyrroloisoquinolines using bromoisobutyrate and dimethyl sulfoxide as carbonyl reagent. Various formylated pyrroloisoquinolines could be prepared in good yields (up to 94%). This formylation process can be easily scaled up to gram scale with good yield. In most cases of pyrroloisoquinolines without methoxy groups, the combination of bromoisobutyrate and dimethyl sulfoxide could act as a bromination reagent, delivering brominated pyrroloisoquinolines in acceptable to good yields (up to 82%).

Automated summary

An efficient formylation method for pyrroloisoquinolines using bromoisobutyrate and dimethyl sulfoxide as carbonyl reagent has been developed, providing good yields of formylated products (up to 94%) which can be scaled up easily. Additionally, the combination of bromoisobutyrate and dimethyl sulfoxide can also act as a bromination reagent for pyrroloisoquinolines without methoxy groups, yielding brominated products in acceptable to good yields (up to 82%).