CuI-Promoted [3+2] Cycloaddition/oxidation to construct Pyrrolo[2,1a]isoquinolino-quinones from naphthoquinone and tetrahydroisoquinoline

The copper-catalyzed three-component one-pot 1,3-dipole cycloaddition/oxidation has been developed to construct Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolinoquinone derivatives with environmentally friendly oxygen as the oxidant. The products Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolinoquinones were obtained from the naturally available raw materials tetrahydroisoquinoline, 1,4-naphthoquinone and benzaldehyde with medium yields.