The Kulinkovich Reaction in the Synthesis of ConstrainedN,N-Dialkyl Neurotransmitter Analogues

An intermolecular Ti(IV)-mediated cyclopropanation reaction has been used to synthesize substituted 2-phenylcyclopropylamines and constrained analogues of the neurotransmitters histamine and tryptamine. Many hydroxy- and methoxy-substituted phenylcyclopropylamines are known to inhibit monoamine oxidase and have been shown to mimic hallucinogens. These compounds were made in 1 to 5 steps from readily available starting materials.