A new convenient synthesis of phenanthrene alkaloids from 1-arylmethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines

Hofmann degradation of 1-arylmethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2,2-dimethylisoquinolinium iodides with methanolic KOH gave stilbene derivatives, for example, (E)-N-2{2-[2-(phenyl)ethenyl]-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl}ethyl-N,N-dimethylamine. Photochemical electrocyclization of these stilbenes afforded the corresponding phenanthrene alkaloids/phenanthrene derivatives.