Enantioselective Synthesis of 1-Aryl-Substituted Tetrahydroisoquinolines Employing Imine Reductase

Tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) with a C1-aryl-substituted groups are common in many natural and synthetic compounds of biological importance. Currently, their enantioselective synthesis are primarily reliant on chemical catalysis. Enzymatic synthesis using imine reductase is very attractive, because of the cost-effectiveness, high catalytic efficiency, and enantioselectivity. However, the steric hindrance of the 1-aryl substituents make this...