Fused pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines have emerged as compelling molecules with remarkably potent cytotoxic activity and topoisomerase inhibitors.
This review, from 2016 to 2022, summarizes advances in the synthesis of 2- and 4-chromenones fused to the five-membered ring of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines in diverse orientations highlighting modes of ring construction by classical and transition metal-catalyzed methods.
A general and authoritative literature overview on Pd-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions of (hetero)arenes from the origins to 2023, where not only the synthetic aspects were described but also the most relevant mechanistic features.
A exclusive synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives involving (E)-2-methoxyethene-1-sulfonyl fluoride (MESF) and isoquinolinium N-ylides is described and a variety of C1/C2 non-functionalized pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines were prepared.
This review will be an essential toolbox for medicinal and bioorganic chemists seeking novel multifunctional hybrid and bioactive N-heterocycles for drug discovery. The work highlights the need for and relevance of unexplored bioisosterism employing isoquinoline-based small-molecules in drug design.