Synthetic pathways to create asymmetric center at C1 position of 1-substituted-tetrahydro-β-carbolines - a review.

The 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1-pyrido[3,4-]indoles or tetrahydro-β-carbolines (THβCs) are tricyclic compounds that are found in various natural sources that exhibit a wide range of important pharmacological activities. Chiral 1-substituted-THβCs, which have an asymmetric center at C1, have attained significant interest due to their possible Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitory activity, benzodiazepine receptor binding activity, and antimalarial effectiveness against chloroquine-resistant . This review highlights and summarizes various novel stereoselective approaches to introduce chirality at the C1 position of 1-substituted-THβCs in good yield and enantiomeric excess (ee) or diastereomeric excess (de).

Introduction of chirality at C1 position of 1-substituted-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline by its enantioselective reduction: synthesis of chiral 1-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline - a review.

There is a wide range of biological activities associated with C1 chiral carbon containing 1-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (1-substituted-THIQs) which constitute the isoquinoline alkaloids, a large group of natural products. This work summarizes several novel catalytic stereoselective approaches to enantioselectively reduce the 1-substituted-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines (1-substituted-DHIQs) to produce the desired 1-substituted-THIQs. The 1-substituted-DHIQs were prepared by using the Bischler-Napieralski reaction.