A Method for Bischler-Napieralski-Type Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydroisoquinolines.

A new method for the Bischler-Napieralski-type synthesis of 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines was developed by a Tf2O-promoted tandem annulation from phenylethanols and nitriles. Its success was mainly due to the fact that a phenonium ion was formed in the process and practically functioned as a stable and reactive primary phenylethyl carbocation.