Abstract A series of different 1-monosubstituted and 1, 1-disubstituted 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro- isoquinolines was synthesized in high yields from different ketoamides. We have developed a convenient method for the synthesis of disubstituted derivatives by interaction of ketoamides with organomagnesium compounds, followed by cyclization in the presence of catalytic amounts of p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA). A number of substituents at the C-1 in ...