# Heterogeneous Catalysts in Pictet-Spengler-Type Reactions

Authors: Rodolfo Quevedo; Camilo Perdomo; Sonia Moreno
Journal: Journal of Chemistry
 (2013)

---

## Abstract

Several solid catalysts were evaluated as an alternative for 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline synthesis by means of the Pictet-Spengler reaction. The reaction catalysed by a mixed oxide (Mg and Al) led to the best yield and good regioselectivity; using an Al-pillared bentonite led to good yields and total regioselectivity. The results revealed no direct relationship between catalyst acidity and yield.


---

## Body

## 1. Introduction

Tetrahydroisoquinolines are present in many natural or synthetic organic compounds; they have varied biological activity [1–5]. Such compounds are usually obtained by adding a β-phenylethylamine to a carbonyl compound to form an imine. Activating such imine by adding an acid promotes the formation of the respective tetrahydroisoquinoline by means of electrophilic aromatic substitution (known as the Pictet-Spengler reaction (Scheme 1) [6].Scheme 1
Pictet-Spengler reaction.The Pictet-Spengler reaction (usually carried out in an aprotic solvent in the presence of an acid catalyst) occurs more easily when a phenylethylamine’s aromatic ring is activated by electrodonor substituents on carbon 3 [6]; this does not happen when the phenylethylamine only has a hydroxyl on carbon 4 [7, 8]. Regioselectivity depends on activating the phenylethylamine aromatic ring and the less hindered ortho position usually predominates for cyclisation. Such pattern improves when the reaction is carried out in protic solvents [9, 10].Brǿnsted acids (i.e., acetic acid or trifluoroacetic acid) are usually used for promoting imine cyclisation formed by adding phenylethylamine to the carbonyl compound. Brǿnsted acids such as p-toluensulphonic acid [11], perfluoroctasulphonic acid [12], phosphate buffer [13], and Lewis acids, such as calcium complexes [14] and Yb(OTf)3 [15], have been used more recently in the search for better yields and greater regioselectivity.On the other hand, solid acids or bases such as natural or modified clays, zeolites, and mixed oxides have been used for various processes regarding organic synthesis in the search for environmentally friendly, economic processes which can be applied at industrial level. H+-montmorillonites and zeolites have been particularly used for this reaction [16–18].Different solids were evaluated as catalysts for the reaction between dopamine hydrobromide and aromatic aldehydes aimed at contributing towards the search for more efficient and environmentally friendly conditions and establishing the possible influence of catalyst acidity on the course of the Pictet-Spengler reaction.


## 2. Experimental Section

### 2.1. General Procedure for Solid-Catalysed Pictet-Spengler Type Reactions

The solid catalyst (100 mg) was added to a solution of dopamine hydrobromide (100 mg) and the respective aldehyde (stoichiometric) in methanol; the mixture was refluxed for 72 h. The catalyst was filtered and washed with methanol. The solvent was then removed under reduced pressure, and the resulting solid was washed with CHCl3. The crude solid 1H-NMR spectrum was recorded in CD3OD [10].Dopamine hydrobromide. 1H-NMR(CD3OD, 400 MHz): 2.83 (2H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 3.13 (2H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 6.61 (1H, dd, J1=7.2 Hz, J2=2.0 Hz), 6.72 (1H, d, J=2 Hz), 6.76 (1H, d, J=8 Hz).6,7-Dihydroxy-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Hydrobromide
3a. 1H-NMR(CD3OD, 400 MHz): 3.08 (1H, m), 3.19 (1H, m), 3.51 (2H, m), 5.86 (1H, s), 6.21 (1H, s), 6.76 (1H, s), 7.78 (1H, t, J=7.6 Hz), 7.84 (1H, d, J=7.4 Hz), 8.33 (1H, s), 8.37 (1H, d, 8.0 Hz).7,8-Dihydroxy-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Hydrobromide
4a. 1H-NMR(CD3OD, 400 MHz): 3.04 (1H, m), 3.23 (1H, m), 3.37 (2H, m), 6.05 (1H, s), 6.75 (1H, d, J=7.6 Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.70 (2H, overlapped), 8.22 (1H, s), 8.30 (1H, d, J=8 Hz) [10].6,7-Dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Hydrobromide
3b. 1H-NMR(CD3OD, 400 MHz): 3.02 (1H, m), 3.17 (1H, m), 3.43 (1H, m), 3.50 (1H, m), 3.86 (3H, s), 6.28 (1H, s), 6.70 (1H, s), 6.82 (1H, d, J=8.2 Hz), 6.88 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 6.97 (1H, s).7,8-Dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Hydrobromide
4b. 1H-NMR(CD3OD, 400 MHz): 2.99 (1H, m), 3.16 (1H, m), 3.46 (1H, m), 3.52 (1H, m), 3.86 (3H, s), 5.30 (1H, 1), 6.79 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 6.88 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 6.97 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 7.00 (1H, d, J=1.6 Hz), 7.45 (1H, dd, J1=7.6 Hz, J2=1.6 Hz).


### 2.2. Dopamine Reaction with 3-Nitrobenzaldehyde

The solid catalyst (100 mg) was added to a solution of dopamine (100 mg) and 3-nitrobenzaldehyde (stoichiometric) in methanol; the mixture was refluxed for 12 h. The catalyst was filtered and washed with methanol. The solution was then concentrated at reduced pressure and placed in an ice bath. The precipitate so formed was filtered and washed in cold methanol (giving 95% yield).6,7-Dihydroxy-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. melting point not determined (product decomposed at a point below melting point), 1H-NMR (CD3OD, 400 MHz): 2.98 (1H, m), 3.12 (1H, m), 3.41 (2H, m), 5.64 (1H, s), 6.18 (1H, s), 6.72 (1H, s), 7.73 (1H, t, J=8.0 Hz), 7.78 (1H, d, J=7.6 Hz), 8.30 (1H, s), 8.33 (1H, d, 8.0 Hz) [10].


## 2.1. General Procedure for Solid-Catalysed Pictet-Spengler Type Reactions

The solid catalyst (100 mg) was added to a solution of dopamine hydrobromide (100 mg) and the respective aldehyde (stoichiometric) in methanol; the mixture was refluxed for 72 h. The catalyst was filtered and washed with methanol. The solvent was then removed under reduced pressure, and the resulting solid was washed with CHCl3. The crude solid 1H-NMR spectrum was recorded in CD3OD [10].Dopamine hydrobromide. 1H-NMR(CD3OD, 400 MHz): 2.83 (2H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 3.13 (2H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 6.61 (1H, dd, J1=7.2 Hz, J2=2.0 Hz), 6.72 (1H, d, J=2 Hz), 6.76 (1H, d, J=8 Hz).6,7-Dihydroxy-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Hydrobromide
3a. 1H-NMR(CD3OD, 400 MHz): 3.08 (1H, m), 3.19 (1H, m), 3.51 (2H, m), 5.86 (1H, s), 6.21 (1H, s), 6.76 (1H, s), 7.78 (1H, t, J=7.6 Hz), 7.84 (1H, d, J=7.4 Hz), 8.33 (1H, s), 8.37 (1H, d, 8.0 Hz).7,8-Dihydroxy-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Hydrobromide
4a. 1H-NMR(CD3OD, 400 MHz): 3.04 (1H, m), 3.23 (1H, m), 3.37 (2H, m), 6.05 (1H, s), 6.75 (1H, d, J=7.6 Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.70 (2H, overlapped), 8.22 (1H, s), 8.30 (1H, d, J=8 Hz) [10].6,7-Dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Hydrobromide
3b. 1H-NMR(CD3OD, 400 MHz): 3.02 (1H, m), 3.17 (1H, m), 3.43 (1H, m), 3.50 (1H, m), 3.86 (3H, s), 6.28 (1H, s), 6.70 (1H, s), 6.82 (1H, d, J=8.2 Hz), 6.88 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 6.97 (1H, s).7,8-Dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Hydrobromide
4b. 1H-NMR(CD3OD, 400 MHz): 2.99 (1H, m), 3.16 (1H, m), 3.46 (1H, m), 3.52 (1H, m), 3.86 (3H, s), 5.30 (1H, 1), 6.79 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 6.88 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 6.97 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 7.00 (1H, d, J=1.6 Hz), 7.45 (1H, dd, J1=7.6 Hz, J2=1.6 Hz).


## 2.2. Dopamine Reaction with 3-Nitrobenzaldehyde

The solid catalyst (100 mg) was added to a solution of dopamine (100 mg) and 3-nitrobenzaldehyde (stoichiometric) in methanol; the mixture was refluxed for 12 h. The catalyst was filtered and washed with methanol. The solution was then concentrated at reduced pressure and placed in an ice bath. The precipitate so formed was filtered and washed in cold methanol (giving 95% yield).6,7-Dihydroxy-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. melting point not determined (product decomposed at a point below melting point), 1H-NMR (CD3OD, 400 MHz): 2.98 (1H, m), 3.12 (1H, m), 3.41 (2H, m), 5.64 (1H, s), 6.18 (1H, s), 6.72 (1H, s), 7.73 (1H, t, J=8.0 Hz), 7.78 (1H, d, J=7.6 Hz), 8.30 (1H, s), 8.33 (1H, d, 8.0 Hz) [10].


## 3. Results and Discussion

The following aldehydes were studied. 3-nitrobenzaldehyde1; the presence of the electron-withdrawing group increased the carbonyl’s electrophilic nature and favoured the formation of the respective isoquinoline in this aldehyde [10]. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (vanillin) 2; the presence of electron-donating groups in this aldehyde reduced the carbonyl’s electrophilic nature and led to isoquinoline having low yields. The following were used as catalysts: acetic acid, a natural bentonite from Colombia (B) which has been extensively characterised in previous work [19], homoionised calcium bentonite Bwith 0.5 M calcium chloride (Ca-B), Al-pillared bentonite B(AlPB) [19], bentonite Bactivated with chlorhydric acid (H+-bentonite) (H-B) [20], a mixed oxide (Al2O3-MgO,M3+/(M2++M3+) = 0.5) (MO) [21], and an Al-Zr pillared vermiculite (10.5 : 1.5) (AlZrPV) [22].The textural properties of the solids being studied were characterised by their surface area, using the N2 physisorption technique at 77 K, and acidity by NH3 temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD) [23, 24].The results presented in Table1 show that natural clay and that homoionised with calcium (Band Ca-B) (entries 1 and 2) had low surface areas and low acidity, such characteristics not being very promising for catalysing the Pictet-Spengler reaction. Pillared vermiculite (AlZrPV) (entry 5) had a large surface area and high acidity, meaning that it could be expected that it would be an efficient catalyst for the Pictet-Spengler reaction. The modified bentonites (H-Band AlPB) (entry 3 and 4) had mid-sized surface areas and high acidity, such conditions likewise being favourable for being used as a catalyst in this reaction. The mixed oxide (entry 6) had large surface area but low acidity; if acidity is a necessary condition for catalysing the Pictet-Spengler reaction, then this should lead to lower yields.Table 1
The aforementioned solids’ specific area and acidity.
Entry
Solid
Surface area (m2/g)
Acidity (mmol NH3/100 g)
1
B
50
21.6
2
Ca-B
48
21.1
3
H-B
82
30.9
4
AlPB
139
29.0
5
AlZrPV
208
36.7
6
MO
246
17.8The Pictet-Spengler reaction was carried out using 100 mg of dopamine hydrobromide in all cases and stoichiometric amounts of the respective aldehyde in methanol as solvent, and 100 mg of each solid as catalyst (Scheme2). Diluted solutions (35 mL methanol) were used to avoid disrupting equilibrium by the product becoming precipitated. The reactions were carried out in reflux conditions for 72 hours to ensure the greatest possible conversion with each catalyser being studied; this time was greater than reported for an acetic-acid-catalysed reaction.Scheme 2
Pictet-Spengler-type reaction involving dopamine hydrobromide and aldehydes.Table2 shows that all the catalysts used led to the respective isoquinoline with both aldehydes studied. Large differences were observed regarding the reaction’s yield and regioselectivity.Table 2
Pictet-Spengler reaction between dopamine hydrobromide and aldehydes1 and 2.
Entry
Aldehyde
Catalyst
Yield conversion (%)a
3/4
1
1
Acetic acid
46
97/3
2
1
B
87
82/18
3
1
Ca-B
69
88/12
4
1
H-B
32
100/0
5
1
AlPB
82
100/0
6
1
AlZrPV
63
94/6
7
1
MO
100
86/14
8
2
B
52
65/35
9
2
Ca-B
81
93/7
10
2
H-B
40
67/33
11
2
AlPB
69
97/3
12
2
AlZrPV
35
65/35
13
2
MO
84
83/17
aCombined 1H-NMR of 3and 4.Contrary to what had been expected, the best yields were obtained when the mixed oxide was used as catalyst (Table2, entries 7 and 13). The strong electrophilic nature of 3-nitrobenzaldehyde 1led to complete conversion to isoquinoline; complete conversion was not obtained for vanillin 2 (84%) but its yield was much superior to that obtained when acetic acid was used as catalyst [10]. A possible explanation for such pattern was that mixed oxide exhibited acid-base pairs due to the presence of M2+-O2− sites; these acid sites activated a Schiff base intermediate due to the formation of an iminium cation and favoured nucleophilic addition. The basic sites interacted with dopamine phenol hydroxyls thereby increasing the ring’s nucleophilic nature and favouring the aromatic electrophilic substitution reaction. Such activation of the ring likewise occurred for dopamine carbon 3 and carbon 5, leading to regioselectivity becoming reduced regarding that observed for the acetic-acid-catalysed reaction.It is worth pointing out that aluminium pillared bentonite (AlPB) (Table 2, entries 5 and 11) led to good yields and total regioselectivity with the aldehydes being studied. The good yields from the reaction with this solid could have been associated with the starting bentonite’s increased acidity following pillarisation and improved textural properties facilitating access to the modified clay’s acid sites by molecules from the reaction. Its good yield and total regioselectivity make this solid a good candidate for further studies directed towards the synthesis of more complex isoquinoline alkaloids.Bentonite homoionised with calcium chloride (Ca-B) (Table 2, entries 3 and 9) also led to an interesting pattern. The reaction with aldehyde having electrodonor groups 2produced high yield and total regioselectivity whilst that with aldehyde having electroattracting groups 1had low yield and poor regioselectivity. Such pattern was consistent with previous studies which have proposed that calcium ions are attractive Lewis acids having many applications in organic synthesis and showing that their efficiency depends on the aldehyde’s structural characteristics [14].Pillared vermiculite (AlZrPV) (Table 2, entries 6 and 12) and chlorhydric-acid-activated bentonite (H-B) (Table 2, entries 4 and 10) had poor reaction yields in spite of having the greatest acidity. These two solids did not seem to be appropriate for catalysing the Pictet-Spengler reaction and the results showed that greater acidity did not necessarily lead to better yields. Natural bentonite (B) from Colombia led to greater yield than that obtained with acetic acid but its regioselectivity was poor (Table 2, entries 2 and 8), possibly due to the material’s deficient textural properties thereby affecting the conformations which reagents could take within the catalyst, thus impeding the product of interest being obtained.The results presented in Table2 were obtained using dopamine hydrobromide as starting reagent; the respective isoquinoline hydrobromide was obtained as product in all cases. The great differences in yield and regioselectivity observed led to supposing that hydrobromic acid did not present important catalytic effects in the reaction conditions used here. Dopamine (freebase) was made to react with aldehyde 1 using mixed oxide (MO) as catalyser and 12-hour reflux to reject possible catalytic effects caused by hydrobromide dopamine and establish whether 72 hours’ reflux was really necessary. The expected product was obtained in such reaction conditions (95% yield); this result confirmed that the hydrobromide group had no catalytic effects and that 12 hours’ reflux was sufficient for the reaction to occur with high yield. NMR spectrum analysis revealed the presence of regioisomer 3a as the sole product.


## 4. Conclusion

This work thus used solids having different surface areas and acidity as an alternative for isoquinoline synthesis by means of the Pictet-Spengler reaction. Using a mixed oxide led to the best yields and good selectivity, whilst the reaction catalysed by a pillared bentonite led to good yields and total selectivity. The results revealed no direct relationship between the catalyst’s acidity and the reaction’s yield.



---

*Source: 125302-2012-09-23.xml*