THE OXIDATION OF 3-(N-BENZYLACETAMIDO)-1,2-PROPANEDIOL TO N-BENZYLACETAMIDOACETALDEHYDE AND RING CLOSURE OF THE LATTER TO ISOQUINOLINEL
Fischer's synthesis of isoquinoline by the oxidative cyclization of benzylaminoacetaldehyde diethyl acetal with 20% oleum was found to give a yield of 8.5%, but his isolation of the intermediate aldehyde could not be repeated. The N-acetyl derivative, N-benzylacetamidoacetaldehyde, however, was synthesized as a somewhat unstable oil, b.p. 129–131° (0.12 mm.), and was cyclized in 7.5% yield to isoquinoline. This synthesis involved the hydrogenation of 3-benzylideneamino-1,2-propanediol to 3-benzylamino-1,2-propanediol, b.p. 152-155° (0.5 mm.); hydrochloride, m.p. 92–94.5°. The N-acetyl derivative, 3-(N-benzylacetamido)-1,2-propanediol, b.p. 188° (0.12 mm.), was then oxidized with sodium metaperiodate; the behavior of other intermediates in the synthesis toward periodate, and also lead tetraacetate, was studied. The following additional compounds were thought to be new: 3-veratrylideneamino-1,2-propanediol, m.p. 123–125°; 3-veratrylamino-1,2-propanediol, b.p. 207–214° (0.4 mm.); the hydrochloride, m.p. 151–152°; 3-(N-benzylacetamido)-1,2-diacetoxypropane, b.p. 196–199° (0.7 mm.), and N-benzylacetamidoacetaldehyde 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone, m.p. 315–316°.