A diastereoselective construction of pyrazinoisoquinoline skeletons via tandem cyclization of phenylalanine derivatives: a facile synthesis of optically active pyrazinoisoquinolines

A facile and stereocontrolled construction of optically active pyrazinoisoquinoline skeletons based on tandem cyclization of enantiopure phenylalanine derivatives was examined. The reaction provided optically active 6,11b-trans pyrazinoisoquinoline ring systems in excellent diastereoselectivity, and this method was applicable to the cyclization of phenylalanine derivatives with diverse substituents.