Pictet-Gams Isoquinoline Synthesis

A. Pictet, A. Gams, Ber. 43, 2384 (1910).

Formation of isoquinolines by cyclization of acylated aminomethyl phenyl carbinols or their ethers with phosphorus pentoxide in toluene or xylene:

Reviews: W. M. Whaley, T. R. Govindachari, Org. React. 6, 151 (1951); W. Y. Gensler, Heterocyclic Compounds 4, 361 (1952); W. Herz, L. Tsai, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 77, 3529 (1955); A. A. Bindra et al., Tetrahedron Letters 1968, 2677; N. Ardabilchi et al., J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. I 1979, 539. Cf. Bischler-Napieralski Reaction.