Organocatalytic Atroposelective Synthesis of Isoquinolines via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution.

Herein, a highly enantioselective Pictet-Spengler reaction for the synthesis of axially chiral tetrahydroisoquinolines via dynamic kinetic resolution is described. Chiral phosphoric acids catalyze cyclization to yield single regioisomeric isoquinolines with excellent enantioselectivities around the C-C bond up to 99% ee. The current protocol is effective for a wide range of substrates, and the observed enantiodivergence depends on the substituents on the catalysts.