A METHOD OF SYNTHESIZING 8-OXOPROTOBERBERINE DERIVATIVES INVOLVING A NOVEL PHOTOARYLATION OF 3-CHLORO-1-ISOQUINOLONES

The novel photochemical annulation of isoquinoline derivatives to form the 8-oxoprotoberberine derivatives is described. The key step of the reaction is an intramolecular photochemical arylation of 3-chloro-2-phenethyl-1-isoquinolone. The same arylation also proceeds intermolecularly, when 3-chloro-1-isoquinolones are irradiated in benzene.