Synthesis of biologically important tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) motifs using quantum dot photocatalyst and evaluation of their anti-bacterial activity

Abstract

Our study introduces an efficient photocatalytic approach for synthesizing biologically significant C1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) motifs, employing WS₂ quantum dots (QDs) as catalysts. This method enables the formation of C–C and C–P bonds at the C1 position of the THIQ motif. The resulting compounds exhibit substantial antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, with low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. Notably, the WS₂ QD catalyst demonstrates recyclability and suitability for gram-scale reactions, underscoring the sustainability and scalability of our approach. Overall, our research presents a versatile and cost-effective strategy for synthesizing C1-substituted THIQ derivatives, highlighting their potential as novel therapeutic agents in biology and medicinal chemistry.