Pd0-Catalyzed Intramolecular α-Arylation of Sulfones: Domino Reactions in the Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrahydroisoquinolines.

A new strategy for the synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines based on the Pd(0)-catalyzed intramolecular α-arylation of sulfones is reported. The combination of this Pd-catalyzed reaction with intermolecular Michael and aza-Michael reactions allows the development of two- and three-step domino processes to synthesize diversely functionalized scaffolds from readily available starting materials.