Thioorthoesters in the activated Pictet–Spengler cyclization. Synthesis of 1-thiosubstituted tetrahydroisoquinolines and carboncarbon bond formation via sulfonyl iminium ions generated from N,S-sulfonyl acetals

The elaboration of 1-alkylthio- and 1-arylthio-tetrahydroisoquinolines by means of the activated Pictet–Spengler reaction of N-sulfonyl-β-phenethylamines with thioorthoesters as electrophiles, and their use as sulfonyl iminium ion precursors for carboncarbon bond formation, leading to 1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives, is reported.