Hantzsch‐like reaction of isoquinoline‐1‐acetonitrile in synthesis of 4H‐pyrido[2,1‐a]isoquinolines with antibacterial evaluation.

The in vitro antibacterial activity of brand‐new fused pyrido[2,1‐a]isoquinoline compounds was investigated. The desired pyrido[2,1‐a]isoquinoline derivatives 5, 9, and 10 were obtained by heating 2‐(6,7‐dimethoxy‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐1‐yl)acetonitrile 1 with ethylacetate derivatives 2, 6, and 7 in refluxing acetonitrile, while piperidine was present as a catalytic quantity. Under the same conditions, compound 1 was refluxed with compounds 11a–f to give the corresponding compounds 12a–f. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]