Synthesis of biologically important tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) motifs using quantum dot photocatalyst and evaluation of their anti-bacterial activity

Our study introduces an efficient photocatalytic approach for synthesizing biologically significant C1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) motifs, employing WS₂ quantum dots (QDs) as catalysts. This method enables the formation of C-C and C-P bonds at the C1 position of the THIQ motif. The resulting compounds exhibit substantial antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, with low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. Notably, the WS₂ QD catalyst demonstrates recyclability and suitability for gram-scale reactions, underscoring the sustainability and scalability of our approach. Overall, our research presents a versatile and cost-effective strategy for synthesizing C1-substituted THIQ derivatives, highlighting their potential as novel therapeutic agents in biology and medicinal chemistry.