el-Fishawy A M, Slatkin D J, Knapp J E, Schiff P L
J Pharm Sci. 1984 Nov;73(11):1639-40. doi: 10.1002/jps.2600731137.
Oxidation of 7,8-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline with potassium permanganate in acetone afforded 7,8-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline as the primary product. Hence, oxidation of the appropriate secondary nonphenolic 7,8-dioxygenated tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid is thus a facile method for the generation of the corresponding imine. The imine is not easily prepared via the usual synthetic route involving ring closure of beta-phenethylamine derivatives.