A ray of sunshine: The title reaction sequence using ethyl 2-(3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)acetates with a series of electron-deficient alkenes and alkynes provides rapid and efficient access to pyrrolo[2,1-a] isoquinolines (see scheme; bpy=2,2′-bipyridine, EWG=electron-withdrawing group). The reaction offers a strategically new protocol for the direct and efficient construction of the core structure of naturally occurring lamellarin alkaloids. Co...
