Synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids via anodic cyanation as the key step

A new route is described for tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) alkaloids involving the alkylation of [alpha]-aminonitrile as a key step, where the latter compound is prepared by anodic cyanation of the corresponding tertiary amine. The syntheses of ([plusmn])-carnegine, ([plusmn])-norlaudanosine and ([pulsmn])-O,O-dimethylcoclaurine are achieved.