10.1016/0040-4039(90)80155-F
The research focuses on the asymmetric synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines, a class of compounds with significant anti-depressant activity. The purpose of the study was to develop a convenient and efficient four-step synthesis method for optically pure Ga-phenyl pyrroloisoquinolines starting from chiral formamidines. The process involved metalation with s-BuLi or t-BuLi at -78°C, followed by alkylation with 1-chloro-3-iodopropane at -100°C, and removal of the formamidine auxiliary to produce the secondary amine, which spontaneously cyclized to form the desired compounds. The method was found to be effective, yielding the products in good yield and high optical purity. Key chemicals used in the process included 4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, dimethylaminoformamidine, P-methyl-1-methoxypropyl amine, and 1-chloro-3-iodopropane, among others.