DDQ-promoted mild and efficient metal-free oxidative α-cyanation of N-acyl/sulfonyl 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules23123223

A mild and highly efficient metal-free oxidative α-cyanation of N-acyl/sulfonyl 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) has been accomplished at an ambient temperature via DDQ oxidation and subsequent trapping of N-acyl/sulfonyl iminium ions with (n-Bu)

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules23123223

molecules
Article
DDQ-Promoted Mild and Efficient Metal-Free
Oxidative α-Cyanation of N-Acyl/Sulfonyl
1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinolines
Hong Pyo Kim 1,†, Heesun Yu 1,†, Hyoungsu Kim 1 , Seok-Ho Kim 2,
*
and Dongjoo Lee 1,
*
1
College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (RIPST),
Ajou University, 206 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon 16499, Korea; ghim@ajou.ac.kr (H.P.K.);
heapang@ajou.ac.kr (H.Y.); hkimajou@ajou.ac.kr (H.K.)
Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University,
120 Haeryong-ro, Gyeonggi-do, Pocheon 11160, Korea
2
*
Correspondence: ksh3410@cha.ac.kr (S.-H.K.); dongjoo@ajou.ac.kr (D.L.);
Tel.: +82-31-881-7169 (S.-H.K.); +82-31-219-3455 (D.L.)
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
ꢀꢁꢂꢀꢃꢄꢅꢆꢇ
Academic Editor: Roman Dembinski
Received: 26 November 2018; Accepted: 5 December 2018; Published: 6 December 2018
ꢀꢁꢂꢃꢄꢅꢆ
Abstract: A mild and highly efficient metal-free oxidative
α-cyanation of N-acyl/sulfonyl
1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) has been accomplished at an ambient temperature via DDQ
oxidation and subsequent trapping of N-acyl/sulfonyl iminium ions with (n-Bu)3SnCN. Employing
readily removable N-acyl/sulfonyl groups as protecting groups rather than N-aryl ones enables a
wide range of applications in natural product synthesis. The synthetic utility of the method was
illustrated using a short and efficient formal total synthesis of (±)-calycotomine in three steps.
Keywords: tetrahydroisoquinoline; oxidation; C(sp3)-H activation; α-cyanation
1. Introduction
Direct C(sp3)-H functionalization through oxidative coupling is one of the most efficient strategies
for the incorporation of functional groups at a proper position [1–6] since it does not need the
preactivation of a substrate to generate a reactive key intermediate to form a new bond. While this
process has been most frequently accomplished through employing transition metal catalysts,
significant synthetic endeavors were recently devoted to direct C(sp3)-H functionalization under
metal-free conditions [7–9].
α
-Substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) is a widely distributed structural motif in a
wide range of both biologically active natural products and pharmaceutical compounds such as 1CTIQ
-cyano-THIQ, monoamine oxidase inhibitor) [10], noscapine ( -hydroxymethyl THIQ) [11 12],
ecteinascidin 743 ( -hydroxymethyl and -carboxylic THIQs in the northern and southern parts,
respectively, an anticancer agent) [13], and praziquantel ( -aminomethyl THIQ, an anthelmintic)
(Figure 1) [14 15]. In particular, -cyano THIQ is a highly valuable structural motif and versatile
-amino nitrile moiety can be easily converted to -amino carboxylic acid via
-amino aldehydes, ketones by nucleophilic addition, and 1,2-diamines via
-cyano THIQs have attracted considerable attention from synthetic as
(1,
α
2
,
α
,
3,
α
α
4, α
,
α
intermediate in that the
hydrolysis, along with
α
α
α
reduction. Not surprisingly,
α
well as medicinal chemists, which require new and efficient methods for the introduction of a nitrile
group at the α-position of THIQs.
Molecules 2018, 23, 3223; doi:10.3390/molecules23123223
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

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Figure 1. Selected natural products or pharmaceuticals containing α-substituted THIQ moiety.
In recent years, several methods for the direct
developed. Most notable methods involve using a transition metal or metal-free oxidants for the
-cyanation of N-aryl THIQs via the direct C(sp3)-H functionalization (Scheme 1, Equation (1)) [16
25].
α-cyanation of N-protected THIQs have been
α
–
However, the removal of aryl-protecting groups from the nitrogen in the presence of other functional
groups proves to be problematic, which limits the synthetic utility of these approaches. For instance,
the removal of a phenyl group from amines required conditions that are only tolerated by a small
◦
set of organic compounds (100 equivalent of Li/NH3/THF/
−
40 C) [26
–
28]. An electrochemical
method [16 21] or visible-light photoredox catalysis [18 20 23
,
–
,
,
25] was also developed (Scheme 1,
Equation (2)). However, these methods also need specific instrumentation or a catalytic system that
is not readily available for general synthetic organic chemistry. Therefore, the development of a
new operationally convenient and efficient method for the direct
easily removable protecting group instead of an N-aryl one would provide an attractive solution
for enhancing the scope and utility of -substituted THIQs, but few examples of such metal-free
α-cyanation reactions have been reported to date [29].
α-cyanation of THIQs bearing an
α
Scheme 1. Reported method of oxidative α-cyanation of N-protected THIQs.
Considering that THIQ frameworks are core units within a multitude of biologically active
natural products and important pharmaceutical compounds, the development of a practical and
efficient method to introduce nitrile group is still a worthwhile project to pursue. Herein, we wish
to report our efforts to explore a new mild and efficient method for the direct
α-cyanation of

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THIQs promoted using 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) as the oxidant at ambient
temperature (Scheme 1, Equation (3)).
2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Optimization of DDQ-Promoted α-Cyanation of N-Boc THIQ 5a
It has been known that the formation of N-acyl or N-sulfonyl iminium ions is difficult
with commonly used oxidants from N-acyl or N-sulfonyl THIQs, respectively, even in the
presence of a transition metal oxidant, thus the selection of the oxidant is important. We selected
2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) [30
an inexpensive, stable, readily accessible solid that is easy to handle, and permits more practical
as well as mild reaction conditions. To test the viability of the envisioned direct -cyanation of
–32] as an organic oxidizing agent, since it is
α
N-acyl/N-sulfonyl THIQs at the outset of our studies, N-Boc-6,7-dimethoxy THIQ 5a, which is the
most ubiquitous framework in THIQ alkaloids, was selected as a model substrate (Table 1). Treatment
of 5a with DDQ (1.1 equivalent) in the presence of 4 Å molecular sieves (MS) to remove water that
might be present in the reaction mixture at room temperature for 30 min, and subsequent addition of
a variety of cyanide nucleophiles to trap in situ generated N-Boc iminium ion, afforded the desired
product (
±
)-6a. Among the cyanide nucleophiles tested, (n-Bu)3SnCN was found to be the best one
-cyanation of N-protected
(Table 1, entry 4). It is worthwhile to note that a DDQ-mediated direct
α
THIQs with electron-rich (n-Bu)3SnCN as the nucleophile has never been attempted, presumably,
due to its high propensity for oxidation and loss of nucleophilicity in the presence of oxidizing agents.
Trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) (Table 1, entry 1) also proved to be an effective nucleophile. However,
low yield was obtained when tert-butyldimethylsilyl cyanide (TBSCN)TBSCN or Zn(CN)2 was used as
a nucleophile (Table 1, entries 2 and 3). Furthermore, the effects of solvents were also investigated,
and the reaction proceeded smoothly in most organic solvents tested including ethyl acetate (EtOAc),
toluene, acetone, and tetrahydrofuran (THF) (Table 1, entries 5–8), yet only a moderate yield was
obtained when high polarity solvents, such as acetonitrile (MeCN) and N,N-dimethylformamide
(DMF), were used (Table 1, entries 9 and 10). Unlike the result from Wang and co-workers [29],
dichlromethane (DCM)DCM, which is non-toxic compared to MeCN, proved to be the best solvent
in our experiment.
Table 1. Optimization of DDQ-promoted α-cyanation of N-Boc THIQ 5a a.
Yield (%) b
Entry
Nucleophile
Solvent
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
TMSCN
TBSCN
Zn(CN)2
(n-Bu)3SnCN
(n-Bu)3SnCN
(n-Bu)3SnCN
(n-Bu)3SnCN
(n-Bu)3SnCN
(n-Bu)3SnCN
(n-Bu)3SnCN
DCM
DCM
DMF
95
21
10
99
96
95
95
87
78
56
DCM
EtOAc
toluene
acetone
THF
MeCN
DMF
10
a
Reaction conditions: N-Boc THIQ 5a (0.3 mmol, 1 equivalent), DDQ (1.1 equivalent) in solvent (3.0 mL) at room
b
temperature under an argon atmosphere for 0.5 h, then cyanide nucleophile (1.5 equivalent) for 1 h. Based on the
isolated product using chromatography after purification.

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2.2. Reaction Scope with Various N-Protecting Groups of THIQs
With the optimized reaction conditions in hand, we then investigated the scope of N-acyl/sulfonyl
THIQs of the reaction (Figure 2). The reactions of t-butyl carbamate (5a), allyl carbamate (5b),
benzyl carbamate (5c), methyl carbamate (5d), ethyl carbamate (5e), and phenyl carbamate (5f) all
gave the corresponding products ((
sulfamide (5g), 4-tolyl sulfamide (5h), and methyl sulfamide (5i) also proceeded smoothly to afford
the desired products (( )-6g ) with good yields (59–81%). N,N-Diethyl carboxamide 5j proved to be
an effective substrate to afford the desired product ( )-6j with 86% yield. To our surprise, however,
both acetamide (5k) and benzamide (5l) gave the corresponding products (( )-6k) and (( )-6l) with
±
)-6a–f) with high yields (74–93%). The reactions of 2-nitrophenyl
±
–i
±
±
±
poor yields (25% and 17%, respectively) under the optimized conditions. This result indicates that
the N-acyliminium intermediates in situ generated from the amide substrates were less stable or less
electrophilic than those derived from carbamate or sulfamide ones.
a
Figure 2. Reaction scope with various N-acyl/sulfonyl groups of THIQs a,b
.
Reaction conditions:
N-Acyl/Sulfonyl-THIQ 5a-l (0.3 mmol, 1 equivalent), DDQ (1.1 equivalent) in DCM (3.0 mL) at room
temperature under an argon atmosphere for 0.5 h, then (n-Bu)3SnCN (1.5 equivalent) for 1 h. b Based on
the isolated product using chromatography after purification.
2.3. Reaction Scope with Electronically Diverse N-Boc THIQs
We also investigated the broad scope with respect to electronically diverse N-Boc THIQs
(Figure 3). As expected, direct
5a ) proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding products ((
yield (62–95%). Notably, N-Boc THIQs bearing electron-withdrawing substituents, such as fluorine
5p) and bromine (5q), were tolerated to afford the desired products (( )-6p) and (( )-6q) with
good yields (67% and 68%, respectively) for further diversifications. Also, N-Boc THIQ (5r) with
α
-cyanation of N-Boc THIQs with electron-donating substituents
(
–
c
±
)-6a ) with good to excellent
–c
(
±
±

Molecules 2018, 23, 3223
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hydrogen substituents proved to be a good substrate to afford the corresponding product ((
a 96% yield.
±
)-6r) with
a,b
a
Figure 3. Reaction scope with electronically diverse N-Boc THIQs
.
Reaction conditions:
N-Boc-THIQ 5m
-
r
(0.3 mmol, 1 equivalent), DDQ (1.1 equivalent) in DCM (3.0 mL) at room temperature
b
under argon atmosphere for 0.5 h, then (n-Bu)3SnCN (1.5 equivalent) for 1 h. Based on the isolated
product using chromatography after purification.
A plausible mechanism for the DDQ-promoted oxidative
was proposed in Scheme 2. N-acyl/sulfonyl THIQ ( ) was oxidized to generate a radical cation
a single electron transfer from N-acyl/sulfonyl THIQ to DDQ [33]. Then, the DDQ radical oxygen
abstracted a H-atom from ( ) to generate a stable and reactive iminium ion ( ). Finally, the trapping
α
-cyanation of N-acyl/sulfonyl THIQs
5
A
by
A
B
the iminium ion (B) with (n-Bu)3SnCN afforded the desired N-acyl/sulfonyl α-cyanated THIQ (6).
Scheme 2. Plausible mechanism for DDQ-promoted a-cyanation of N-acyl/sulfonyl THIQ.
We next turned on our attention to a short and efficient formal total synthesis of
(
±
)-calycotomine (
is hydroxymethyl THIQ alkaloid and was isolated from many plants including Calycotome spinosa Link,
Leguminosae, Cystius proliferus, Acacia concinna, and mainly genus Genista [34 38]. This natural product
9) to prove the synthetic utility of this method (Scheme 3). Calycotomine (9)
–

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was found to exhibit an antimicrobial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) MIC
2–8 mg/mL against Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [38] Not surprisingly, calycotomine
(9) and its analogues have attracted considerable attention from synthetic and medicinal communities
due to its interesting pharmacological activities [35
,
39
,
40]. Nucleophilic addition to nitrile of (
±
)-6a
with DIBAL-H at −78 ◦C afforded the resulting aldehyde (
±
)-7, which was directly transformed into
the corresponding ( )-N-Boc calycotomine (8) with a 38% yield over two steps through a subsequent
±
reduction with NaBH4 due to its instability. The spectral characteristics of our synthetic material
)- were in good agreement with those reported for synthetic ( )-N-Boc calycotomine ( ) by Jung
and co-workers [40].
(
±
8
±
8
Scheme 3. A short and efficient formal total synthesis of (±)-calycotomine (9).
3. Materials and Methods
3.1. General Information
General Methods: Except as otherwise noted, reactions were carried out under an argon (Ar)
or nitrogen (N2) atmosphere in flame- or oven-dried glassware. In aqueous work-up, all organic
solutions were separated from the aqueous layer using a separatory funnel and combined organic
layers were dried over Na2SO4 or MgSO4, and filtered prior to rotary evaporation at diaphragm pump
pressure. Reactions were monitored using TLC (thin layer chromatography) with 0.25 mm E. Merck
pre-coated silica gel plates (Kieselgel 60F254, Merck, Kenilworth, NJ, USA). Spots were detected by
viewing under a UV light, colorizing with charring after dipping in p-anisaldehyde staining solution
with acetic acid and sulfuric acid and MeOH, or in KMnO4 solution with sulfuric acid and ethanol,
or ceric ammonium molybdate solution with sulfuric acid and ethanol. We used silica gel of particle
size 0.040–0.063 mm (Merck, Kenilworthm, NJ, USA) for flash chromatography. Yields were calculated
according to chromatographically and spectroscopically pure compounds unless otherwise indicated.
Materials: Commercial reagents and solvents were used without further purification with the
following exceptions. All solvents were freshly distilled and dried by standard techniques just
before use. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was distilled from sodium/benzophenone ketyl. Acetonitrile
(MeCN), dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), and toluene (PhMe) were distilled from calcium hydride (CaH2).
Acetone, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) were distilled from magnesium
sulfate (MgSO4).
Instrumentation
Palo Alto, CA, USA) or JNM-ECZ 600R (JEOL, Tokyo, Japan). Chemical shifts of the compound are
reported as δ value relative to CHCl3 (
7.26 for 1H-NMR and 77.0 for 13C-NMR). Data are represented
as follows: chemical shift, multiplicity (s = singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet, q = quartet, m = multiplet
br = broad), integration, coupling constant in Hz, and assignment. Infrared (IR) spectra were measured
:
1H and 13C spectra were recorded on a Mercury-400BB (Varian,
δ
δ
,

Molecules 2018, 23, 3223
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on a 1600 FT-IR spectrometer (Perkin-Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA) referenced to a polystyrene standard.
Data are represented as follows: frequency (cm−1), intensity (s = strong, m = medium, w = weak,
br = broad), and assignment (where appropriate). High resolution mass spectra were recorded at the
center for research facilities of Kyunghee University using JMS-700 (FAB+ or EI+, JEOL, Tokyo, Japan).
High resolution values were calculated to four decimal places from the molecular formula, all found
values being within a tolerance of 5 ppm. Melting point (m.p.) was obtained using IA9100 (Thermo,
Waltham, MA, USA).
3.2. Experimental Part Method
3.2.1. General Procedure for the Synthesis of N-Protected 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinolines
To a stirred solution of 1,2,3,4-THIQ (1.0 equiv.) in CH2Cl2 (10.0 mL/mmol), triethylamine
(1.2 equivalent) was added and then cooled to 0 ◦C. Acyl chloride (1.2 equivalent), sulfonyl chloride
(1.2 equivalent), or diethylcarbamoyl chloride (1.2 equivalent) was added slowly at 0 ◦C. The resulting
reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h under an argon atmosphere and then
poured onto water (10.0 mL/mmol) and the organic layer was separated. The aqueous layer was
extracted two times with CH2Cl2 (10.0 mL/mmol), and the combined organic layer was washed with
brine (5.0 mL/mmol), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure.
Purification of the crude residue by flash column chromatography on silica gel, using the appropriate
mixture of eluents, provided the corresponding N-protected 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. Spectral data
(1H- and 13C-NMR) of compounds (5a
, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5g, 5h, 5k, 5l, 5m, 5n, 5o, 5q, 5r) which were reported
previously were compared and found in agreement with literature data. Furthermore, references were
represented in supporting information. The characterization of novel compounds is given.
Allyl 6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (5b) Yield 88%, colorless oil; 1H-NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 6.61 (s, 1H), 6.58 (s, 1H), 5.97 (ddd, J = 16.4, 11.2, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 5.32 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H),
5.22 (d, J = 11.2 Hz, 1H), 4.64 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 4.57 (s, 2H), 3.854 (s, 3H), 3.849 (s, 3H),
3.70 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.78 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
154.8, 147.3, 132.8, 126.0,
124.9, 124.4, 117.1, 111.3, 108.8, 65.8, 55.8, 45.2, 41.4, 28.2; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
ν
max 3059, 2935, 2837, 2306,
1543, 1517, 1463, 1371, 1351, 1257, 1226, 1163, 1116 cm−1; HRMS (FAB+) found 278.1389 [calculated for
C15H20NO4 ([M + H]+): 278.1392].
Phenyl 6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (5f) Yield 91%, white solid; m.p. 103–104 ◦C
1H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1:1 ratio amide bond)
7.36 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H),
;
δ
7.2 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.13 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 6.66 (s, 1H), 6.63 (s, 1H), 4.77 (s, 1H), 4.64 (s, 1H),
3.88 (s, 3H), 3.86 (s, 4H), 3.79 (t, J = 5.4 Hz, 1H), 2.87 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 2.86 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H);
13C-NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances for minor rotamer are enclosed in parenthesis)
δ
153.5, (153.4), 151.1, 147.5, 128.9, 126.0, (125.7), 124.9, 124.7, (124.2), 121.4, 111.4, (111.2), 108.9, (108.8),
55.6, 45.5, (45.4), (42.0), 41.4, (28.2), 28.0; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
ν
2935, 2836, 1719, 1518, 1425, 1202,
max
1116, 752 cm−1; HRMS (FAB+) found 314.1393 [calculated for C18H20NO4 ([M + H]+): 314.1392].
6,7-dimethoxy-2-((2-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (5i) Yield 82%, colorless oil; 1H-NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3)
3.25 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 4H), 2.83 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 1.15 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
148.1, 147.7, 147.6, 133.6, 131.5, 130.6, 124.9, 124.0, 123.1, 111.4, 108.7, 56.0, 55.9, 46.9, 43.8, 28.5; FT-IR
δ 6.62 (s, 1H), 6.58 (s, 1H), 4.32 (s, 2H), 3.86 (s, 6H), 3.45 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H),
δ
(thin film, neat) ν
max 2995, 2937, 2835, 2358, 2341, 1697, 1517, 1433, 1257, 1224, 1095 cm−1; HRMS (FAB+)
found 378.1012 [calculated for C17H18N2O6S ([M]+): 378.1011].
N,N-Diethyl-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxamide (5j) Yield 99%, colorless oil; 1H-NMR
(600 MHz, CDCl3)
3.25 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 4H), 2.83 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 1.15 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 6H); 13C-NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3)
164.1, 147.3, 147.2, 126.1, 125.6, 111.3, 108.9, 55.6, 55.5, 48.2, 44.8, 41.5, 27.9, 12.9; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
δ 6.62 (s, 1H), 6.58 (s, 1H), 4.32 (s, 2H), 3.86 (s, 6H), 3.45 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H),
δ

Molecules 2018, 23, 3223
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ν
max 2968, 2933, 1640, 1518, 1419, 1257, 1228, 1117 cm−1; HRMS (FAB+) found 293.1869 [calculated for
C16H25N2O3 ([M + H]+): 293.1865].
tert-Butyl 7-fluoro-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (5p) Yield 67%, colorless oil; 1H-NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) 7.07 (dd, J = 8.0, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 6.86 (td, J = 8.4, 2.8 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (d, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.54 (s, 2H),
3.63 (s, 2H), 2.79 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 1.49 (s, 9H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances
for minor rotamer are enclosed in parenthesis) 162.4, 159.9, 154.7, 130.1, (113.6), 113.4, 112.7, 80.0, 46.0,
δ
δ
(45.4), (42.1), 40.9, 28.7, 28.5; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
ν
2973, 1752, 1692, 1514, 1387, 1271, 1205, 1175,
max
765 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found 251.1318 [calculated for C14H18FNO2 ([M]+): 251.1322].
3.2.2. General Procedure for the Synthesis of N-protected-1-cyano-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines
To a stirred solution of N-protected-1,2,3,4-THIQ (0.30 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (3.0 mL), 4 Å MS
(molecular sieves, 120 mg) was added at room temperature. After the reaction mixture was stirred
for 15 min at room temperature, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) (0.45 mmol,
1.1 equivalent) was added portionwise. Then the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature
for another 30 min under an argon atmosphere. Tributyltin cyanide ((n-Bu)3SnCN) (0.75 mmol,
2.5 equivalent) was added dropwise at room temperature and the reaction mixture was stirred
at room temperature for 1 h under argon atmosphere, then quenched with saturated aqueous
NaHCO3 solution (5 mL) and the layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted two
times with CH2Cl2 (20 mL), and the combined organic layer was washed with brine (5 mL), dried over
sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the residue using flash column
chromatography on silica gel, using hexanes/EtOAc as an eluent, provided the corresponding
N-protected-1-cyano-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline.
(±
)-tert-Butyl 1-cyano-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6a) Yield 93%, colorless oil;
1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1.2:1 ratio amide bond)
6.75 (s, 1H), 6.64 (s, 1H)
6.01 (brs, 0.5H), 5.79 (brs, 0.5H), 4.29 (brs, 0.5H), 4.12 (brs, 0.5H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.87 (s, 3H) 3.36 (brs, 0.5H)
3.23 (brs, 0.5H), 2.84–2.92 (m, 1H), 2.71–2.75 (m, 1H), 1.53 (s, 9H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, rotameric
mixture, resonances for minor rotamer are enclosed in parenthesis) 153.6, (153.1), 149.1, 148.1, 126.7,
(120.1), 119.5, 118.3, 111.5, 109.2, 81.9, (81.5), 56.1, 55.9, 46.4, (45.5), 40.2, (38.8), 28.3, 27.7; FT-IR (thin film,
neat)
2977, 2937, 1702, 1521, 1407, 1246, 1160 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found 318.1582 [calculated for
δ
,
,
,
δ
ν
max
C17H22N2O2 ([M]+): 318.1580].
(
±
)-Allyl 1-cyano-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6b) Yield 83%, white solid;
1
m.p. 104 ◦C; H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1.2:1 ratio amide bond)
δ 6.74 (s, 1H),
6.40 (s, 1H), 5.92–6.03 (m, 2H), 5.23–5.37 (m, 1H), 5.21–5.29 (m, 1H), 4.63–4.70 (m, 2H), 4.33 (brs, 0.45H),
4.21 (brs, 0.55H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.44 (brs, 0.55H), 3.32 (brs, 0.45H), 2.88–2.96 (m, 1H),
2.73–2.78 (m, 1H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances for minor rotamer are
enclosed in parenthesis)
111.4, 109.1, 67.0, 56.0, 55.9, 45.9, 39.9, (39.4), 27.6; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
1222, 1094 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) found 302.1264 [calculated for C16H18N2O4 ([M]+): 302.1267].
δ
154.4, (153.6), 149.2, 148.1, 131.9, (126.5), 126.2, 119.6, (119.1), (118.3), 118.1, 117.9,
νmax 3019, 2937, 1701, 1519, 1408,
(
±
)-Benzyl 1-cyano-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6c) Yield 87%, white solid;
m.p. 127 ◦C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1.2:1 ratio amide bond)
δ
7.32–7.44 (m, 5H), 6.75 (brs, 0.55H), 6.71 (brs, 0.45H), 6.63 (brs, 1H), 6.05 (brs, 0.55H), 5.89 (brs, 0.45H),
5.20–5.26 (m, 2H), ; 4.36 (brs, 0.45H), 4.22 (brs, 0.55H), 3.87 (s, 6H), 3.44 (brs, 0.55H), 3.33 (brs, 0.45H),
2.84–2.98 (m, 1H), 2.50–2.80 (m, 1H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances for
minor rotamer are enclosed in parenthesis)
(128.2), 128.0, (126.6), 126.3, 119.7, (119.1), 118.0, 111.5, 109.2, (109.1), 68.4, (68.3), (56.1), 56.0, 46.1, 40.1,
(39.6), 27.7, (27.6); FT-IR (thin film, neat)
3019, 2936, 1702, 1519, 1412, 1222, 1093 cm−1; HRMS
δ 154.7, (153.9), 149.3, 148.2, 135.6, (135.5), 128.5, 128.3,
ν
max
(EI+) found 352.1427 [calculated for C20H20N2O4 ([M]+): 352.1423].

Molecules 2018, 23, 3223
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(
±
)-Methyl 1-cyano-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6d) Yield 76%, colorless oil;
1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1.2:1 ratio amide bond)
δ
6.74 (s, 1H), 6.63 (s, 1H),
6.03 (brs, 0.55H), 5.89 (brs, 0.45H), 4.33 (0.55H), 4.17 (brs, 0.45H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.81 (s, 3H),
3.39 (brs, 0.55H), 3.31 (brs, 0.45H), 2.86–2.95 (m, 1H), 2.75–2.77 (m, 0.55H), 2.71–2.73 (brs, 0.45H); 13C-NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances for minor rotamer are enclosed in parenthesis)
149.2, 148.1, (126.6), 126.3, 119.7, (119.2), 118.0, 111.4, 109.1, 56.1, 56.0, 53.6, 46.0, 39.9, (39.5), 27.7, (27.5);
FT-IR (thin film, neat)
max 3017, 2955, 1703, 1518, 1443, 1224, 1098 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found 276.1102
[calculated for C14H16N2O4 ([M]+): 276.1110].
δ 155.2,
ν
(
±
)-Ethyl 1-cyano-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6e) Yield 82%, colorless oil;
1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1.2:1 ratio amide bond)
δ
6.78 (s, 1H), 6.66 (s,
1H), 6.03 (brs, 0.55H), 5.92 (brs, 0.45H), 4.13–4.25 (m, 3H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.39 (brs, 0.55H),
3.29 (brs, 0.45H), 2.91–2.95 (m, 0.45H), 2.86–2.91 (m, 0.55H), 2.76–2.78 (m, 0.55H), 2.72–2.74 (m, 0.45H),
1.36 (brs, 3H)
in parenthesis)
45.8, 39.7, (39.2), 27.5, 14.6; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
;
13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances for minor rotamer are enclosed
δ
154.6, (153.9), 149.0, 148.0, 126.5, (126.2), 119.7, (119.2), 117.9, 111.3, 109.0, 62.5, 56.0, 55.8,
3020, 2939, 1700, 1519, 1418, 1222, 1098 cm−1
ν
max
;
HRMS (EI+) found 290.1267 [calculated for C15H18N2O4 ([M]+): 290.1267].
)-Phenyl 1-cyano-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6f) Yield 74%, white foam;
1H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
7.38-7.41 (m, 2H), 7.24–7.27 (m, 1H), 7.15–7.18 (m, 2H), 6.79 (s, 1H),
6.69 (s, 1H), 6.13 (brs, 0.45H), 6.09 (brs, 0.55H), 4.39–4.41 (m, 1H), 3.90 (s, 6H), 3.61–3.65 (m, 0.55H),
3.41–3.46 (m, 0.45H), 2.98–3.08 (m, 1H), 2.81–2.88 (m, 1H); 13C-NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3)
171.2, 153.5,
(152.8), 150.9, (150.8), (149.72), 149.66, 148.6, 129.5, (126.1), 126.0, (121.7), 121.6, 119.8, (119.2), 117.9, (111.8),
(±
δ
δ
111.7, 109.4, (109.2), 56.2, 56.1, (46.6), 46.2, 40.7, (39.9), 27.7, (27.5); FT-IR (thin film, neat) νmax 3018, 2938,
1723, 1520, 1411, 1199, 1119, 754 cm−1; HRMS (FAB+) found 338.1271 [calculated for C19H18N2O4 ([M]+):
338.1267].
( )-6,7-dimethoxy-2-(methylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carbonitrile (6g) Yield 61%, white solid;
±
◦
m.p. 148 C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
3H), 3.866 (s, 3H), 3.29–3.36 (m, 1H), 3.07 (s, 3H), 3.03–3.11 (m, 1H), 2.78–2.83 (m, 1H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3) 149.5, 148.3, 125.2, 118.7, 117.0, 111.6, 109.0, 56.2, 56.0, 46.9, 40.8, 37.7, 27.9; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
max 3015, 2937, 1519, 1343, 1228, 1153 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found 296.0833 [calculated for C13H16N2O4S
([M]+): 296.0831].
δ 6.71 (s, 1H), 6.64 (s, 1H), 5.75 (s, 1H), 4.00–4.04 (m, 1H), 3.870 (s,
δ
ν
(
±
)-6,7-dimethoxy-2-tosyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carbonitrile (6h) Yield 59%, colorless oil;
1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
7.78 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.35 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.66 (s, 1H), 6.59 (s, 1H)
,
5.80 (s, 1H), 4.06 (dd, J = 12.4, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.05 (td, J = 12.4, 3.6 Hz, 1H),
3.03 (td, J = 16.0, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 2.72 (dd, J = 16.0, 3.6 Hz, 1H), 2.44 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
149.3, 148.1, 144.4, 134.2, 129.8, 127.5, 125.3, 119.4, 116.1, 111.5, 108.9, 56.0, 55.9, 46.9, 40.9, 27.6,
21.7; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
ν
3018, 2936, 1519, 1348, 1228, 1162 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found 372.1143
max
[calculated for C19H20N2O4S ([M]+): 372.1114].
)-6,7-dimethoxy-2-((2-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-1-carbonitrile (6i) Yield 82%,
light yellow foam; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
8.11 (d, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.71–7.78 (m, 3H), 6.72 (s, 1H),
(
±
δ
6.61 (s, 1H), 5.87 (s, 1H), 4.19 (ddd, J = 14.0, 6.0, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.52 (ddd, J = 14.0,
12.4, 4.0 Hz, 1H), 3.05 (ddd, J = 16.4, 12.4, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 2.78 (ddd, J = 16.4, 4.0, 1.6 Hz, 1H); 13C-NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
149.6, 148.4, 147.9, 134.5, 132.3, 131.9, 130.9, 125.3, 124.7, 119.1, 116.8, 111.6, 108.8,
−1
56.2, 56.1, 47.3, 41.9, 27.8; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
HRMS (EI+) found 403.0834 [calculated for C18H17N3O6S ([M]+): 403.0838].
ν
3021, 2938, 1543, 1520, 1370, 1168, 1116, 771 cm
;
max
(
±
)-1-Cyano-N,N-diethyl-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxamide (6j) Yield 86%, white solid;
◦
m.p. 136 C; 1H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
(dd, J = 13.8, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.45 (dd, J = 13.8, 12.6 Hz, 1H), 3.30 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H)
3.02 (ddd, J = 16.2, 12.6, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 2.73 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 1H), 1.18 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 6H)
δ
6.74 (1H), 6.63 (s, 1H), 5.49 (s, 1H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.72
3.28 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H)
13C-NMR (150 MHz,
,
,
;

Molecules 2018, 23, 3223
10 of 13
CDCl3)
(thin film, neat)
found 318.1811 [calculated for C17H24N3O3 ([M + H]+): 318.1818].
δ
162.9, 149.4, 148.3, 126.4, 121.2, 119.0, 111.7, 109.5, 56.2, 56.0, 48.5, 44.0, 41.9, 27.6, 13.2; FT-IR
ν
max 2970, 2936, 1648, 1520, 1463, 1421, 1370, 1266, 1228, 1120, 754 cm−1; HRMS (FAB+)
(
±
)-2-Acetyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carbonitrile (6k) Yield 25%, white solid;
1
m.p. 200 ◦C; H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 6.76 (s, 1H), 6.64 (s, 1H), 6.40 (s, 1H), 4.44 (dd, J = 14.0,
5.2 Hz, 1H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.58 (ddd, J = 14.0, 12.0, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 2.98 (ddd, J = 16.0, 12.0, 5.2 Hz,
1H), 2.76 (dd, J = 16.0, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 2.21 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
169.3, 149.2, 148.3, 125.9,
119.9, 117.9, 111.3, 109.3, 56.2, 56.0, 43.3, 42.2, 28.1, 21.5; FT-IR (thin film, neat) max 2936, 1652, 1518, 1409,
1253, 1222, 1117 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found 260.1159 [calculated for C14H16N2O3 ([M]+): 260.1161].
δ
ν
(
±
)-2-Benzoyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carbonitrile (6l) Yield 17%, white solid;
m.p. 210 ◦C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
7.43–7.47 (m, 5H), 6.80 (brs, 1H), 6.63 (s, 1H), 6.39 (brs, 1H)
3.93–4.02 (m, 1H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.52 (brs, 1H), 2.98 (brs, 1H), 2.72 (d, J = 15.2 Hz, 1H); 13C-NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3) 170.8, 149.4, 148.5, 133.9, 130.8, 128.8, 127.1, 119.6, 117.9, 111.5, 109.4, 56.2, 56.1, 44.4,
43.4, 28.4; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
max 2935, 1641, 1518, 1406, 1253, 1223, 1141, 1108 cm−1; HRMS (EI+)
found 322.1319 [calculated for C19H18N2O3 ([M]+): 322.1317].
δ
,
δ
ν
(
±
)-tert-Butyl 1-cyano-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6m) Yield 78%, colorless oil;
1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1.1:1 ratio amide bond)
δ
7.23 (brs, 0.48H), 7.21
(brs, 0.52H), 6.84 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 0.52H), 6.82 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 0.48H), 6.70 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.03 (brs,
0.48H), 5.80 (brs, 0.52H), 4.20 (brs, 0.52H), 4.03 (brs, 0.48H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.41 (brs, 0.48H), 3.28 (brs,
0.52H), 2.94 (dd, J = 10.4, 5.6 Hz, 0.48H), 2.90 (dd, J = 10.4, 5.6 Hz, 0.52H), 2.83 (t, J = 4.0 Hz, 0.52H), 2.79
(t, J = 4.0 Hz, 0.48H), 1.53 (s, 9H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances for minor
rotamer are enclosed in parenthesis)
82.0, (81.6), 55.3, (46.2), 45.3, (40.1), 38.7, 28.5, 28.3; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
1404, 1238, 1159 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found 288.1472 [calculated for C16H20N2O3 ([M]+): 288.1474].
δ
159.4, (153.7), 153.2, 135.9, 128.0, (120.6), 120.0, 118.3, 113.8, 113.3,
ν
max 2976, 1703, 1612, 1505,
(
±
)-tert-Bu◦tyl 1-cyano-7-methoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6n) Yield 62%, white solid;
1
m.p. 114 C; H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1.1:1 ratio amide bond)
δ 7.10
(d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (s, 1H), 6.06 (brs, 0.52H), 5.82 (brs, 0.48H),
4.26 (brs, 0.52H), 4.10 (brs, 0.48H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 2.90 (dd, J = 10.4, 5.6 Hz, 0.48H), 2.86 (dd, J = 10.4,
5.6 Hz, 0.52H), 2.78 (t, J = 4.0 Hz, 0.52H), 2.74 (t, J = 4.0 Hz, 0.48H), 1.57 (s, 9H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances for minor rotamer are enclosed in parenthesis) δ 158.6, 150.6,
139.4, 130.6, 126.7, 118.3, 115.7, 111.6, 47.1, (46.1), (40.7), 39.4, 28.7, 27.7; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
ν
max
2976, 2935, 1703, 1507, 1404, 1251, 1161 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found 288.1471 [calculated for C16H20N2O3
([M]+): 288.1474].
(
±
)-tert-Butyl 1-cyano-6,8-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6o) Yield 95%, colorless
oil; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1.1:1 ratio amide bond)
6.35 (s, 1H), 6.28 (s, 1H)
6.10 (brs, 0.48H), 5.82 (brs, 0.52H), 4.26 (brs, 0.52H), 4.10 (brs, 0.52H), 3.89 (brs, 3H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.38
δ
,
(brs, 0.48H), 3.24 (brs, 0.52H), 2.90 (brs, 1H), 2.73–2.77 (m, 1H), 1.53 (brs, 0.52H), 1.51 (brs, 0.48H)
;
13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances for minor rotamer are enclosed in
parenthesis)
δ
160.7, 156.9, 153.4, 136.7, (136.3), 118.1, 104.6, 96.8, 81.9, (81.5), 55.8, 55.5, 42.7, (41.8),
2975, 1703, 1609, 1405, 1160 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found
(39.9), 38.6, 28.4; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
318.1580 [calculated for C17H22N2O4 ([M]+): 318.1580].
ν
max
(
±
)-tert-Butyl 1-cyano-7-fluoro-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6p) Yield 67%, white solid;
1
m.p. 124 ◦C; H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1.1:1 ratio amide bond)
δ 7.16–7.19
(m, 1H), 7.00-7.05 (m, 2H), 6.08 (brs, 0.48H), 5.84 (brs, 0.52H), 4.29 (brs, 0.52H), 4.13 (brs, 0.48H), 3.38
(brs, 0.48H), 3.24 (brs, 0.52H), 2.93 (dd, J = 10.4, 5.6 Hz, 0.48H), 2.89 (dd, J = 10.4, 5.6 Hz, 0.52H), 2.83
(t, J = 3.6 Hz, 0.52H), 2.79 (t, J = 3.6 Hz, 0.48H), 1.53 (s, 9H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, rotameric
mixture, resonances for minor rotamer are enclosed in parenthesis)
δ 162.5, 160.0, (153.7), 153.1, 131.0,

Molecules 2018, 23, 3223
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130.3, (129.6), 117.7, 116.3, (116.1), 113.9, (113.7), (82.6), 82.1, (46.6), 45.7, (40.2), 38.9, 28.5, 27.7; FT-IR
(thin film, neat)
2978, 1702, 1503, 1404, 1246, 1161 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found 276.1273 [calculated
ν
max
for C15H17FN2O2 ([M]+): 276.1274].
)-tert-Butyl 7-bromo-1-cyano-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6q) Yield 68%, white solid;
m.p. 157 ◦C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1.2:1 ratio amide bond)
7.48 (brs, 1H)
7.41 (dd, J = 8.0, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H); 6.08 (brs, 0.45H), 5.84 (brs, 0.55H), 4.28 (brs, 0.55H)
4.12 (brs, 0.45H), 3.37 (brs, 0.45H), 3.24 (brs, 0.55H), 2.77–2.93 (m, 2H), 1.53 (s, 9H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances for minor rotamer are enclosed in parenthesis) 132.0, 131.1, 130.0,
max 3327, 3005, 2954, 1743, 1680, 1613,
(±
δ
,
,
δ
120.6, 117.7, 46.3, (45.4), (40.1), 38.7, 28.5, 27.9; FT-IR (thin film, neat)
ν
1513, 1392, 1262, 1202, 1149, 1097, 756 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found 336.0472 [calculated for C15H17BrN2O2
([M]+): 336.0473].
(±
)-tert-Butyl 1-cyano-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (6r) Yield 96%, white solid; m.p. 87–77 ◦C
1H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature, 1.2:1 ratio amide bond)
7.27–7.32 (m, 3H), 7.20–7.21
;
δ
(m, 1H), 6.10 (brs, 0.45H), 5.87 (brs, 0.55H), 4.26 (brs, 0.55H), 4.09 (brs, 0.45H), 3.42 (brs, 0.45H), 3.28
(brs, 0.45H), 2.93–2.98 (m, 1H), 2.86 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 0.55H), 2.84 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 0.45H), 1.54 (9s, 9H); 13C-NMR
(150 MHz, CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances for minor rotamer are enclosed in parenthesis)
(153.4), 134.8, (134.6), 129.5, 128.8, 128.3, 127.24, 127.17, 118.3, 82.3, (81.9), (46.7), 45.7, 40.2, (38.8), 28.4, 28.2;
FT-IR (thin film, neat)
max 2977, 1701, 1404, 1161 cm−1; HRMS (FAB+) found 259.1446 [calculated for
C15H19N2O2 ([M + H]+): 259.1447].
δ 154.0,
ν
(
(
±
−
)-tert-Butyl 1-(hydroxymethyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxylate (8). To a cooled
78 ◦C) solution of
α
-cyano tetrahydroisoquinoline ( )-6a (176.5 mg, 0.554 mmol) in dry toluene
±
(5.60 mL), a solution of diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL-H®, 1.39 mmol, 1.39 mL; 1.0 M solution
◦
in toluene) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at
−
78 C under
argon atmosphere, then quenched with saturated aqueous Rochelle’s salt solution (5 mL) and diluted
with EtOAc (5 mL) and the layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc
(10 mL × 2), and the combined organic layer was washed with brine (5 mL), dried over Na2SO4,
filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to afford the unstable aldehyde (
the next reaction without further purification.
±
)-7, which was used directly in
◦
To an ice-cooled (0 C) solution of aldehyde (
±
)-7
in dry MeOH (5.60 mL),◦NaBH4 (62.8 mg,
1.66 mmol) was added portionwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at 0 C, then quenched
with saturated aqueous NH4Cl solution (5 mL) and diluted with EtOAc (5 mL), and the layers were
separated. The aqueous layer was extracted two times with EtOAc (10 mL), and the combined organic
layer was washed with brine (5 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated under
reduced pressure. Purification of the crude material using flash column chromatography on silica
gel, using hexanes/EtOAc (2:1 to 1:1) as an eluent, provided (
38% from (
)-6a over two steps) as a colorless oil; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, at room temperature,
2:1 ratio amide bond) 6.67 (s, 1H), 6.62 (s, 1H), 5.22 (brs, 0.67H), 5.07 (brs, 0.33H), 3.86 (s, 6H),
3.67–3.80 (m, 2H), 3.43 (brs, 0.67H), 3.26 (0.33H), 2.71–2.91 (m, 4H), 1.50 (s, 9H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3, rotameric mixture, resonances for minor rotamer are enclosed in parenthesis) 156.0, (154.7),
±
)-N-Boc calycotomine (8) (68.1 mg,
±
δ
δ
147.6, 147.1, (127.0), 126.7, 125.3, 111.1, 110.1, 79.9, 66.5, (65.5), (56.3), 55.8, 55.7, 56.0, 39.4, (37.6), 28.3,
28.1; IR (thin film, neat) νmax 3448, 2934, 1670, 1516, 1422, 1365, 1247, 1160 cm−1; HRMS (EI+) found
323.1731 [calculated for C17H25NO5 ([M]+): 323.1733].
4. Conclusions
In conclusion, we have developed a highly mild and efficient metal-free cyanation at the α-position
of a variety of N-acyl/sulfonyl and electronically diverse tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) with
(n-Bu)3SnCN under oxidative reaction conditions. N-Acyl/sulfonyl iminium ions generated by DDQ
oxidation were found to be very effective and compatible with an electron-rich cyanide nucleophile.

Molecules 2018, 23, 3223
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This reaction provides a convenient method for the synthesis of structurally diverse THIQ natural
products and pharmacologically useful compounds.
Supplementary Materials: The following are available online at http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/12/3223/
s1. The 1H and 13C-NMR spectra can be found in the SI.
Author Contributions: S.-H.K. and D.L. conceived and designed the experiments; S.-H.K., H.P.K., H.Y., H.K., D.L.
performed the experiments; H.P.K., H.Y., H.K., S.-H.K., and D.L. analyzed the data; S.-H.K. and D.L. wrote the
paper; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Funding: This research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Fund
of Korea (NRF) funded by Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education (NRF-2017R1D1A1B03034612,
NRF-2016R1A2B1012930, and NRF-2018R1D1A1A02086359) and Ajou University (No. S-2015-G0001-00345).
Acknowledgments: We thank Young Chul Lee and Yongjun Yoo for preparing some starting materials.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Sample Availability: Samples of compounds are available from the authors.
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