The reactions of
isoquinoline and phthalazine Reissert
compounds with phthalaldehydic acids and their
derivatives have been investigated as a means of synthesizing 1-(3-phthalidyl)isoquinolines. Of a variety of conditions tried those
involving phase transfer were found, in general, to be the most suitable. The
products, which are analogues of the convulsant
alkaloid bicuculline, showed weak central nervous
system depressant activity.