Enantiodivergent Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines Based on Diastereoselective Parham Cyclization and α-Amidoalkylation Reactions

Enantiodivergent synthesis of C-10b-substituted pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines starting from an enantiomerically pure N-phenethylnorborn-5-en-endo-2,3-dicarboxyimide 3a, with a 2-exo-hydroxy-10-bornylsulfinyl group as a chiral auxiliary, has been developed. The key transformations are derived from diastereoselective intramolecular cyclization of aryllithiums and alpha-amidoalkylation reactions, with the ethylidene bridge of the norbornene moiety dictating the stereochemical outcome in both types of reactions. Thus, the organolithium addition-intramolecular alpha-amidoalkylation sequence on imide 3a afforded stereoselectively the R configuration at C-12b, whereas the tandem Parham cyclization-intermolecular alpha-amidoalkylation reactions on the corresponding iodinated imide 3b occurred with complete control of stereoselectivity, leading to the epimer at C-12b. Subsequent reductive removal of the chiral auxiliary and retro-Diels-Alder reaction afforded (10bS)- and (10bR)-pyrroloisoquinolines 1 in high yields and optical purities (>99% ee).