Ytterbium triflate-catalysed synthesis of ethyl 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylates using ethyl chloro(phenylselanyl)-acetate

The reaction of N-benzenesulfonyl-β-phenethylamines with ethyl chloro(phenylselanyl)acetate catalysed by ytterbium triflate provides a convenient methodology for the synthesis of ethyl 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylates.