Oxidative Iodination of Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines with NaI/mCPBA.

Abstract

A mild late-stage modification of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives has been achieved through oxidative iodination with NaI as the iodine source and mCPBA as the oxidant. A series of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines has been iodinated readily at ambient temperature in moderate to excellent yield (40→99% yields). Other heteroarenes of great importance such as substituted pyrroles and indoles could also be compatible in this iodination process. It was found that the combination of HI and mCPBA can be alternatively employed for the efficient iodination of heteroarenes efficiently.