3-Aryl-4-hydroxytetrahydroisoquinolines have been prepared from deoxyb
enzoins. The nitrosation of the latter derivatives has been improved a
nd the catalytic reduction of the obtained oximinoketones has been car
ried out with the help of ultrasounds. Heterocyclization to the isoqui
noline moiety occurred on the unprotected 1,2-aminoalcohol to give ste
reoselectively the corresponding hydroxylated heterocycle with good yi
eld.