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, Heterocycl. Compd. 4, 361 (1952); W. Herz, L. Tsai, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 77, 3529 (1955); A. A. Bindra et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 1968, 2677; N. Ardabilchi et al., J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 1 1979, 539. Cf. Bischler-Napieralski Reaction.