Synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzazepines combining sequential palladium-catalysed ortho alkylation/vinylation with aza-Michael addition reactions

1-Substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzazepines were synthesised from o-iodoalkylbenzene, N-Cbz-bromoalkylamine and an electron-poor olefin through a one-pot palladium-catalysed sequence involving ortho alkylation, alkenylation and intramolecular aza-Michael reaction.