Base-Promoted Intermolecular Cyclization of Substituted 3‑Aryl(Heteroaryl)-3-chloro­acryl­aldehydes and Tetrahydro­isoquinolines: An Approach to Access Pyrrolo­[2,1‑a]­isoquinolines

We have developed a new base-promoted intermolecular cascade cyclization reaction of substituted 3-aryl­(heteroaryl)-3-chloroacryl­aldehydes and tetra­hydro­isoquinolines in one pot. The reaction provides a facile and practical synthesis of pyrrolo­[2,1-a]­isoquinolines. A number of pyrrolo­[2,1-a]­isoquinolines were synthesized in moderate to high yields (up to 97%).