3-Hetarylisocoumarins in the synthesis of 1-functionalized 3-hetarylisoquinolines

A convenient method was developed for the synthesis of novel isoquinolin-1(2H)-ones, 1-chloroisoquinolines, and 1-aminoisoquinolines with a heterocyclic substituent in position 3 via a recyclization of 3-hetarylisocoumarins with (NH4)2CO3. 1-Aminoisoquinolines were efficiently obtained from corresponding 1-chloro-3-hetarylisoquinolines (obtained by interaction of isoquinolin-1(2H)-ones with POCl3) and cyclic secondary amines (morpholine or 1-methylpiperazine). Literature data and preliminary results of biological assays allow to consider 1-amino-3-hetarylisoquinolines a promising family of anticancer compounds.