Copper-catalyzed cyclization of 2-cyanobenzaldehydes and 2-isocyanoacetates: an efficient strategy for the synthesis of substituted 1-aminoisoquinolines.

A Cu(acac)2-catalyzed cyclization reaction of 2-cyanobenzaldehydes with 2-isocyanoacetates has been successfully developed providing an efficient strategy for the synthesis of substituted 1-aminoisoquinolines. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions with high efficiency, and might provide an alternative strategy for the synthesis of 1-aminoisoquinoline containing molecules.