Pomeranz-Fritsch isoquinoline

Reticuline (38), one of the most important intermediates in the biosynthesis of opium alkaloids, has been synthesized in racemic form (Scheme 7) (78). 6-Methoxy-7-benzyloxyisoquinoline (39), prepared from O-benzylisovanillin via a modified Pomeranz-Fritsch isoquinoline synthesis, was treated with benzoyl chloride and potassium cyanide to obtain Reissert compound 40. Alkylation of the anion generated from 40 with 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxybenzyl chloride gave the corresponding 1-substituted Reissert compound 41 which was hydrolyzed in alkaline medium to 1-benzylisoquinoline derivative 42. Quatemarization of 42 with methyl iodide followed by sodium borohydride reduction and debenzylation led to ( )-reticuline (38) in about 25% overall yield from 39. 

The first synthesis of a derivative of 2,8-phenanthroline was reported by Merz, Weidlich, and Fink13 in 1964. They prepared 5,6-dimethoxy-2,8-phenanthroline (34) (isolated as the dipicrate) in very low yield by conducting a double Pomeranz-Fritsch isoquinoline synthesis on 4,5-dimethoxyisophthalaldehyde. The parent compound was prepared 2 years later12 in 25-35% yield, along with 1,9-phenanthroline (4%), by the photocyclization of trans-1 (3-pyridyl)-2-(4-pyridyl)ethylene in benzene. This reaction was used by Hiinig and his colleagues15 to prepare an N,N -dimethyl diquaternary salt of 2,8-phenanthroline by methylating the crude product from the irradiation reaction. 

Phenanthroline was first claimed to have been synthesized by a double Pomeranz-Fritsch isoquinoline synthesis.11 It has recently been prepared12 in about 12% yield by the irradiation of trans-l,2-di(3-pyridyl)ethylene in benzene, along with 1,8-phenanthroline (12-20%) and 1,10-phenanthroline (1-2%). The melting point is quite different from that recorded earlier by Ruggli and Schetty.11 This latter method has subsequently been used15 to prepare an AT, AT -dimethyl diquaternary salt of 3,8-phenanthroline by methylating the crude product from the irradiation reaction. 

Electrophilic cyclisation, in which the heterocyclic ring is formed in the manner of the Pomeranz-Fritsch isoquinoline synthesis, offers a potential route to benzoisoquinolines. Cyclisation of the N-2-... 

This reaction is related to the Pomeranz-Fritsch Isoquinoline Synthesis. 

This reaction was first and concurrently reported by Pomeranz and Fritsch in 1893. It is the synthesis of isoquinolines via an acid-promoted electrophilic cyclization of benza-laminoacetals prepared from aromatic aldehydes and aminoacetals. Therefore, this reaction is known as the Pomeranz-Fritsch cycUzation, Pomeranz-Fritsch isoquinoline synthesis, Pomeranz-Fritsch reaction," Pomeranz-Fritsch ring closure, Pomeranz-Fritsch ring synthesis, or Pomeranz-Fritsch synthesis. ... 

Modified Pomeranz-Fritsch isoquinoline ring closure... 

Polysulfides s. Trisulfides Pomeranz-Fritsch isoquinoline ring closure 27, 940 Position shift (s. a. Interchange, positional, Migration, Rearrangement)... 

Trifluoroacetic anhydride I boron fluoride Ring closure with acetals Pomeranz-Fritsch isoquinoline ring closure... 

The Pomeranz-Fritsch reaction involves the preparation of isoquinolines 4 via the acid-mediated cyclisation of the appropriate aminoacetal intermediate 3. The best yields are usually obtained when the benzaldehyde portion 1 has electron-donating substituents in the 3- or 3,4- positions relative to the aldehyde. 

Of the well-known methods to prepare isoquinolines, including the Pictet-Spengler and Bischler-Napieralski cyclisation, the Pomeranz-Fritsch reaction is the only direct generally accepted method for the construction of the fully unsaturated isoquinoline ring system. 

The Schlittler-Muller variation of the Pomeranz-Fritsch reaction involves reaction of diethoxyethanal 17 with benzylamine 16 to prepare the desired imine 18. Intermediate 18 is subsequently cyclised to substituted isoquinoline 19. The advantage here lies in the fact that the initial condensation can still take place between an aldehyde and an amine. 

POMERANZ-FRITSCH REACTION. Formation of isoquinolines by the acid-catalyzed cyclization of benzalaminoacetals prepared from aromatic aldehydes and aminoacetal. 

Pomeranz-Fritsch Synthesis. Isoquinolines are available from the cyclization of benzalaminoacetals under acidic conditions. 

Poly(vinylpyrrolidones) polymerization, 1, 271 Polyviologens synthesis, 1, 286 Pomeranz-Fritsch synthesis isoquinolines, 2, 428 6, 218 Pongapin synthesis, 4, 710 Poranthericine, 4, 494 ( )-Porantherine synthesis, 2, 377 Porphin, 4, 386 structure, 4, 378 Porphin, maso-aryltri-p-tolyl-synthesis, 4, 230 Porphin, maso-tetraalkyl-synthesis, 4, 230 Porphin, meso-tetraaryl-synthesis, 4, 230 Porphin, meso-tetraferrocenyl-synthesis, 4, 230 Porphin, meso-tetraphenyl-synthesis, 7, 767 Porphobilinogen biosynthesis, 1, 100... 

Numerous modifications to the Pomeranz-Fritsch synthesis of isoquinolines have been studied over the years without much success.42 Some of these cyclizations, had they been successful, would have generated 1,2-dihydroisoquinolines it is possible, at least in some cases, that the overall sequence failed because the conditions of cyclization were too harsh for the 1,2-dihydroisoquinolines formed to survive. 

The Pomeranz-Fritsch synthesis of isoquinolines from the acetals (286) often gives oxazoles as by-products. Isoquinoline formation is favoured by the presence of electronreleasing groups in the benzene ring and suppressed when the ring is deactivated. Nitroaryl-methylene compounds (286 X = NOz), for example, give only oxazoles (equation 102). 

The Pomeranz-Fritsch synthesis [Eqs. (1) and (2)]1 is the only isoquinoline synthesis involving a simple two-step sequence from common starting materials. Furthermore, it is one of the few methods which can be used to prepare isoquinolines substituted in the 7- and 8-positions. The first step, Schiff base formation [Eq. (1)], takes place readily, but the ring closure [Eq. (2)] is difficult. The yields vary markedly with the concentration of H2S04 and are generally low. Frequently the reaction fails completely. Most of the work described in this chapter was undertaken to circumvent these problems and to realize the potential promise of the synthesis. 

POLONOVSKY N Oxide re POMERANZ FRITSCH SCHLITTER MULLER Isoquinoline synthesis 303 Ponndoif 251... 

Pomeranz-Fritsch reaction Synthesis of isoquinolines from aromatic aldehydes and 2,2-dialkoxvethylamine. 358... 

Pomeranz-Fritsch reaction The acid catalyzed cyclization of benzalaminoacetals to form isoquinolines. 358... 

Gensler, W. J. Synthesis of isoquinolines by the Pomeranz-Fritsch Reaction. Org. React. 1951, VI, 191-206. 

Schlittler, E., Muller, J. A new modification of the isoquinoline synthesis according to Pomeranz-Fritsch. Helv. Chim. Acta 1948, 31,914-924. 

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