A facile one-pot protocol for the synthesis of tetrazolyl-tetrahydroisoquinolines via novel domino intramolecular cyclization/Ugi-azide sequence

A facile one-pot, four-component domino reaction between 2-(2-bromoethyl)benzaldehyde, isocyanide, amine, and azide for the synthesis of tetrazolyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives has been developed. The reaction sequence involves intramolecular replacement of halide by iminium nitrogen followed by Ugi-azide reaction. The reaction is catalyst/additive free and takes place under ambient conditions with short reaction times to furnish products in good to excellent yields.