Formal [2 + 2 + 1 + 1] Annulation Enabled Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Evaluation of Dimeric Tetrahydroisoquinolines

Org Lett. 2026 May 15;28(19):5954-5959. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6c00979. Epub 2026 May 4.

Abstract

This work presents a facile, metal-free, and atom-economical synthesis of pyrimido[2,1-a:4,3-a']diisoquinolines via an acid-promoted formal [2 + 2 + 1 + 1] annulation of readily available 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and arylglyoxal monohydrates. This annulation proceeds through an azomethine ylide intermediate, achieving the direct N-H/α-C(sp3)-H difunctionalization of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines and concurrent formation of multiple C-C and C-N bonds. The resulting polycyclic scaffolds are readily transformed into multifunctional photoluminescent materials that display aggregation-induced delayed fluorescence (AIDF) emission. Preliminary biological evaluation revealed that several derivatives potently inhibit key inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages, indicating their potential as promising anti-inflammatory lead candidates.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal* / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal* / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal* / pharmacology
  • Dimerization
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines* / chemical synthesis
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines* / chemistry
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline