Stereoselective Organocatalytic Addition of Nucleophiles to Isoquinolinium and 3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium Ions: A Simple Approach for the Synthesis of Isoquinoline Alkaloids.

The frequent occurrence of chiral 1-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline ring systems in a large number of alkaloids, possessing a broad spectrum of biological and pharmaceutical properties, has prompted out a considerable interest in their synthesis. Economical and valuable stereoselective processes based on organocatalytic transformations represent a new avenue for approaching isoquinoline alkaloids with efficiency and creativity. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]