Direct syntheses of 4-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines and 1-aryl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-benzoazepines via hydroamination of enol carbamates

An efficient and simple procedure for the syntheses of 4-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines and 1-aryl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-benzoazepines has been developed. The approach uses easily available starting materials and requires just three steps. The hydroamination of an enol carbamate is the key step. This general and direct method has been applied to the total synthesis of the natural alkaloid cherylline and to biologically active 3-benzoazepines as well.