Copper/l-proline-catalyzed synthesis of 5-amino-2,3-diphenylimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines in the presence of Cs2CO3

Abstract

Malononitrile underwent α-arylation with 2-(2-bromophenyl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole to give a subsequent nucleophilic addition and dehydration products of 5-amino-2,3-diphenylimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-6-carbonitriles catalyzed by CuI/l-proline. Under the same reaction conditions, this novel procedure had a good chemoselectivity in cyanacetates for the efficient synthesis of 5-aminoimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-6-carboxylate derivatives in good yields.