Photocatalytic Approach for Construction of 5,6-Dihydroimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and Their Luminescent Properties

A visible-light-driven photoredox reaction of tetrahydroisoquinoline with 2H-azirines is described. 4,7-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole, a benzothiadiazole (BTD) derived fluorophore, is used as an organic photoredox catalyst, and the reaction offers an efficient access to 5,6-dihydroimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines with a broad range of functional groups. The resulting 5,6-dihydroimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines present strong photoluminecence in solutions and powders and could be applied in the fabrication of blue OLED devices.