Photocatalyzed Csp³–Csp³ cross-dehydrogenative coupling of N-Boc-tetrahydroisoquinolines with α,β-unsaturated ketones

A novel photocatalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction of N-Boc-tetrahydroisoquinolines with α,β-unsaturated ketones has been developed. This research provides an easy access to a variety of C1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines, which can be further transformed into benzo[a]-quinolizine-2-ones, the skeletons of natural products with a wide range of biological activities. The load of the photocatalyst is low and the oxidant is inexpensive and less toxic.