Pictet-Gams Synthesis

The transformation of N ‐acyl 2‐hydroxy (or alkoxy) phenylethylamine into isoquinoline derivatives by the treatment with a dehydration agent such as P ₂ O ₅ in toluene or xylene is generally referred to as the Pictet–Gams synthesis. It is a multisteps reaction and all the steps for this reaction have been discussed. This reaction is a modification of the Bischler–Napieralski isoquinoline synthesis. This reaction has been further modified by using POCl ₃ as the dehydration reagent and is useful for the preparation of isoquinoline derivatives.