An unusual synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[f]isoquinolines

A facile and short synthesis of 2-oxo-4-sec-amino-2,3,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[f]isoquinoline-1-carbonitriles has been delineated through base catalyzed ring transformation of 5,6-dihydro-2-oxo-4-sec-amino-2H-benzo[h]chromene-3-carbonitrile by cyanoacetamide in excellent yields.

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