Microwave-assisted Diels-Alder synthesis

The synthesis of isoquinolinone carboxylates was performed using arecoline or its isomer N-methyl tetrahydro pyridine carboxylate with Danishefsky's diene via thermal or microwave assisted Diels-Alder reaction. The comparison of both condensation modes showed that the microwave method not only afforded higher yields of the adducts, but also lead to the formation of a new α,β-unsaturated pyridyl ketone. All structures were identified with the help of high resolution 2D NMR.Key words: Diels-Alder microwave assisted reaction, microwave synthesis, Michael, diene, isoquinoline carboxylate synthesis, Danishefsky diene synthesis, MAP Diels-Alder2.