| Abstract: | 6,7-Dimethoxy-2-naphthylethylamine, prepared by the diborane reduction of 6,7-dimethoxy-2-naphtlialeneacetamide, underwent a Pictet-Spengler cyclization to form 8,9-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzh]isoquinoline. This compound is identical with that obtained by reduction of the corresponding dihydrobenzisoquinoline prepared from formamide cyclization. 6,7-Dialkoxy-2-naphthaleneacetic acids, the key intermediates for the preparation of these amides, were obtained from 6,7-dialkoxy-2-acetonaphthones by a modified Willgerodt reaction. |
