Indolopyridines containing a bridgehead heteroatom. 12. Synthesis and reduction of 12-arylidene-5,6-dihydroindolo[2,1-a]isoquinolinium trifluoroacetates

Condensation of 5,6-dihydroindolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline with aromatic aldehydes in trifluoroacetic acid afforded 12-arylidene-5,6-dihydroindolo[2,1-a]isoquinolinium trifluoroacetates. Hydrogenolysis of these salts on rhenium heptasulfide at elevated temperature and hydrogen pressure yielded indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines, while reduction with sodium borohydride gave 12-arylmethylindoloisoquinolines. Photoluminescence was found for some indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines.