Base-Promoted Intermolecular Cyclization of Substituted 3-Aryl(Heteroaryl)-3-chloroacrylaldehydes and Tetrahydroisoquinolines: An Approach to Access Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines.

We have developed a new base-promoted intermolecular cascade cyclization reaction of substituted 3-aryl(heteroaryl)-3-chloroacrylaldehydes and tetrahydroisoquinolines in one pot. The reaction provides a facile and practical synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines. A number of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines were synthesized in moderate to high yields (up to 97%).