Reissert compounds, ie. N-acyl-1-cyano-1, 2-dihydroisoquinolines, have been known for more than 100 years [1]. They are formed from isoquinolines or similar N-6-ring- heterocycles, acyl chlorides or acid anhydrides and cyanide via intermediate N-acyliminium salts. This reaction was originally used to transform acyl chlorides into aldehydes by final acid hydrolysis of the Reissert compounds. Following this, Reissert compounds were also ...
