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Synthesis Of Dihydroisoquinolines And Tetrahydroisoquinolines, John J. Schlager

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Dihydroisoquinolines and tetrahydroisoquinolines are compounds which possess a variety of pharmacological activities. New easier methods of synthetic manipulations of these structures is of constant interest in the pharmaceutical industry.

This paper describes a new three step method of preparing 1-alkyl- and 1-aryl-tetrahydroisoquinolines from a tetrahydroisoquinoline. The synthesis involves the N-chlorination of tetrahydroisoquinoline followed by dehydrohalogenation with potassium superoxide. The reaction products are the dihydroisoquinolines. Overall yields range from 85-96%. The unsubstituted, 1-methyl-, and 1-phenyl-J,4-dihydroisoquinolines have been formed. Organometallation of the unsubstituted dihydroisoquinoline provides the 1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline. The 1-benzyl-, 1-n-butyl-, 1-ethyl-, 1-methyl-, and 1-phenyl-1,2,J,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines were prepared. The use of Grignard and …