Further Studies on a Samarium Diiodide-Promoted Reductive Carbon-Nitrogen Bond Cleavage Reaction: Synthesis of (+)-Aphanorphine

Abstract

Samarium diiodide-promoted carbon-nitrogen bond cleavage reaction was applied to the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives bearing an ester group at the 1- or 3-position to give the corresponding benzazepinones. Synthesis of (+)-aphanorphine was established by utilizing this reaction, as a key step.