Synthesis of 5,6-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines featuring an intramolecular radical-oxidative cyclization of polysubstituted pyrroles, and evaluation of their cytotoxic activity

Abstract

A three-step protocol for the synthesis of 1,2,3,8,9-pentasubstituted-5,6-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines is described, using van Leusen's polysubstituted pyrrole construction followed by intramolecular radical-oxidative cyclization of the isoquinoline system. The cytotoxic activities of the dihydropyrroloisoquinolines were tested on six tumor cell lines. Preliminary structure–activity studies revealed the importance of the identity of the aromatic substituent at the C-2 position, particularly a phenyl, m-(amino) phenyl or m-(cyclohexylmethylpiperazinamide) phenyl substituent, for cytotoxic activity.