A synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines through the reaction of activated acetylenes and isoquinoline in the presence of ethyl bromopyruvate

Isoquinoline reacts with ethyl bromopyruvate in the presence of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates or diaryloylacetylenes to produce dialkyl 1-(2-ethoxy-2-oxoacetyl)pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-2,3-dicarboxylates or ethyl 2-[2,3-diaryloylpyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-1-yl]-2-oxoacetates in good yields.