Patents
An improved process for the production of 3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-l-(arylmethyl) isoquinolines of formula (2) wherein R is H or methoxy, which comprises stirring N-2-[l'- cyclohexenyl] ethyl-aryl autamide of formula (1) wherein R is H or methoxy group in an organic solvent with a Lewis acid and metal halide such as herein described at a temperature in the range of 0 to 80°C, for a period in the range of 4-12 hours, removing the solvent by distillation under reduced pressure ,treating the above said reaction mixture with ammonia solution, extracting the product using a water immiscible organic solvent, washing the organic layer with sodium thiosulphate solution ,and removing the solvent under reduced pressure to get compound of formula (2).