Cu(OTf)2-promoted efficient synthetic route towards glycospiro-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines

A simple, convenient and efficient protocol for the construction of an array of glycospiro-pyrroloisoquinolines using isoquinolinium ylide and a carbohydrate-derived exocyclic olefin in the presence of Cu(OTf)2–Et3N catalytic system is described. Isoquinoline and alkylbromoacetates/2-bromoacetophenones were employed to generate the azomethine ylides in the presence of Et3N in refluxing toluene and subsequent exposure to the olefin led to the desired isoquinoline derivatives.