Stereoselective synthesis of the pyrroloisoquinoline ring system

Abstract

In this paper we report a facile and stereoselective approach to the pyrroloisoquinoline ring system through the application of N-acyliminium chemistry from readily available non-racemic chiral templates. The stereochemical outcome of the cyclisation reactions has been determined by NOE and X-ray crystallography. We also demonstrate the synthetic potential of our new approach through removal of the pendant hydroxymethyl auxiliary from a product of cyclisation.