Solid-phase and solution-phase parallel synthesis of tetrahydro-isoquinolines via Pictet-Spengler reaction.

An efficient parallel synthesis of 6,7-dimethoxytetrahydroisoquinolines is reported. The key reaction step is 3,4-dimethoxyphenethylimines reacting with acid chlorides to form an N-acyliminium ion intermediate, which undergoes Pictet-Spengler condensation to give the desired products in >80% yield. Both solution-phase and solid-phase synthesis of 6,7-dimethoxytetrahydroisoquinolines are described.