Synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines from activated acetylenes, benzoylnitromethanes, and isoquinoline

Isoquinoline reacts smoothly with aroylnitromethanes in the presence of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and dibenzoylacetylene to produce pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines in good yields. Quinoline and benzothiazole also react in a similar way. Pyridine and N-methylimidazole catalyze the reaction between nitromethane derivatives with electron-deficient acetylenes to produce highly functionalized isoxazoles.