Reactions of isoquinoline derivatives with pyridinium salts yielding 4-naphthylpyridines

Regiospecific introduction of the 2-naphthyl residue into position 4 of the pyridine ring occurs in the reactions of isoquinolinium salts with 4-methylpyridinium salts through the intermolecular transformation of the isoquinoline bicyclic system involving the methyl group of the pyridinium salt. The reaction occurs under the action of methylammonium sulfite in an aqueous medium on heating. This method provides ring transformation not only for isoquinolinium salts but even for unsubstituted isoquinoline.