Searching for New Biologically Active Compounds Derived from Isoquinoline Alkaloids

Abstract

Many isoquinoline alkaloids are biologically active compounds and successfully used as pharmaceuticals. Compounds belonging to the isoquinolines and tetrahydroisoquinolines (TIQs) can be used as anesthetics, antihypertensive drugs, antiviral agents, and vasodilators. In the presented studies, the search for new compounds and synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid derivatives was undertaken. Several dihydroisoquinolines were synthesized by Bishler–Napieralski reaction from the corresponding amides. Dihydroisoquinolines were reduced with sodium borohydride to obtain racemic tetrahydroisoquinolines. Asymmetric reduction of selected 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines was attempted with borane in the presence of chiral terpene spiroboranes.