Abstract

The synthesis of 4,5,8,12b-tetrahydroisoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinolin-8-ones is reviewed The unsubstituted parent compound, a series of fourteen A-ring-substituted derivatives, most of them new, and some of their doubly benzylic, 12b-hydroxylated oxidation products were synthesized. Unusual features of their reactivity are briefly discussed.