A convenient synthesis of 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines by combined Strecker/Bruylants reaction

摘要

Strecker reaction of iodophenethylamines with phenylacetaldehydes afforded the corresponding alpha-aminonitriles, which on treatment with i-propyl magnesium chloride underwent a Bruylants reaction to give the title compounds. Their structures were deduced by NMR and by an independent preparation starting from papaverine. The educts were easily available by standard procedures.