A highly efficient synthesis of 1-methyl-, 1-benzyl-, and 1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines by a modified pummerer reaction

Article abstract of DOI:10.3987/com-97-s70

(±)-1-Methyl- (13b), (±)-1-benzyl- (13c), and (±)-1-phenyl- (13d)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines, which are supposed to participate in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, were prepared by using a modified Pummerer reaction as a key step in excellent overall yields from the commercially available ketones (4b-c).