Antiplatelet activity of benzylisoquinoline derivatives oxidized by cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate.

Oxidation of 1-benzyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines with cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) under mild condition yielded the mixture of corresponding 1-benzylisoquinolines (b-type) and 1-benzoylisoquinolines (a- or c-type) in an equal yields. The selective oxidation products (c-type) can be prepared by using MeCN instead of MeOH. In the antiplatelet assays, four inducers were employed, including AA, Col, PAF, and Thr. In the PAF or Col induced platelet aggregation, compounds belonging to a- and b-type showed stronger inhibitory effects than aspirin.