13benzopyridine

13benzopyridine, more commonly written as 1,3-benzopyridine, is an isomer of benzopyridine that consists of a benzene ring fused to a pyridine ring with the nitrogen atom in the 1-position of the pyridine ring. The preferred systematic name for this compound is isoquinoline. It has the molecular formula C9H7N and is part of the class of heteroaromatic hydrocarbons.

Structurally, isoquinoline is a bicyclic aromatic system where the two rings share a common edge, yielding a rigid, planar scaffold. The nitrogen atom in the pyridine ring imparts basic character to the molecule, making isoquinoline a weak organic base that forms salts with acids. It is largely insoluble in water but dissolves in many organic solvents, and it features a relatively high boiling point typical of fused-ring heterocycles.

Isoquinoline can be found in small quantities in coal tar and is also accessible by laboratory synthesis. It serves as a versatile building block in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry. Its isoquinoline ring system is a common motif in the development of pharmaceuticals, natural product analogs, and various heterocyclic compounds. It is also used as a starting material or intermediate in the production of dyes and as a ligand in coordination chemistry.

Safety considerations for isoquinoline include handling as a potential irritant; exposure should be minimized, and standard laboratory precautions should be observed, including the use of gloves and adequate ventilation.