A [4+1] Cyclative Capture Approach to 3H‐Indole‐N‐oxides at Room Temperature by Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed CH Activation

The rhodium(III)‐catalyzed [3+2] C? H cyclization of aniline derivatives and internal alkynes represents a useful contribution to straightforward synthesis of indoles. However, there is no report on the more challenging synthesis of pharmaceutically important N‐hydroxyindoles and 3H‐indole‐N‐oxides. Reported herein is the first rhodium(III)‐catalyzed [4+1] C? H oxidative cyclization of nitrones with diazo compounds to access 3H‐indole‐N‐oxides. More significantly, this reaction proceeds at room temperature and has been extended to the synthesis of N‐hydroxyindoles and N‐hydroxyindolines.     

Asymmetric Dearomatization of Indole Derivatives with N‐Hydroxycarbamates Enabled by Photoredox Catalysis

Dearomatization of indoles provides efficient synthetic routes for substituted indolines. In most cases, indoles serve as nucleophiles. Reported here is an asymmetric dearomatization reaction of indole derivatives that function as electrophiles. The combination of a photocatalyst and chiral phosphoric acid open to air unlocks the umpolung reactivity of indoles, enabling their dearomatization with N‐hydroxycarbamates as nucleophiles. A variety of fused indolines bearing intriguing oxy‐amines were constructed in excellent yields with moderate to high enantioselectivities. Mechanistic studies show that the realization of two sequential single‐electron transfer oxidations of the indole derivatives is key, generating the configurationally biased carbocation species while providing the source of stereochemical induction. These results not only provide an efficient synthesis of enantioenriched indoline derivatives, but also offer a novel strategy for further designing asymmetric dearomatization reactions.     

Synthesis of novel 3‐ and 5‐substituted indole‐2‐carboxamides

The preparation of several novel 3,5‐substituted‐indole‐2‐carboxamides is described. A 5‐nitro‐indole‐2‐carboxylate was elaborated to the 3‐benzhydryl ester, N‐substituted ester, and carboxylic acid intermedi ates, followed by conversion to the amide and then reduction of the 5‐nitro group to the amine. Indole‐2‐carboxamides with 3‐benzyl and 3‐phenyl substituents were prepared in four steps from either a 3‐bromo indole ester using the Suzuki reaction or from a 3‐keto substituted indole ester. N‐Alkylation of ethyl indole‐2‐carboxylate, followed by amidation and catalytic addition of 9‐hydroxyxanthene gave a 3‐xanthyl‐indole‐2‐carboxamide analog and a spiropyrrolo indole as a side product.     

A Comparative Study of Conventional and Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Quinoxaline 1,4‐di‐N‐oxide N‐acylhydrazones Derivatives Designed as Antitubercular Drug Candidates

Quinoxaline 1,4‐di‐N‐oxide (QdNO) and N‐acylhydrazone subunit are considered privileged scaffolds in medicinal chemistry because of its wide spectrum of biological activities, such as antibacterial, antitubercular, antiviral, anticancer, and antifungal. Beirut's reaction is the mostly commonly employed synthetic method to obtain QdNO; however, extended time, low yields, and byproduct formation are common features observed during the synthesis. Microwave‐assisted organic synthesis (MW) has gained popularity as an effective way to speed up chemical reactions, increasing yields and selectivity of a variety of reactions. Therefore, in an effort to synthesize compounds with potential to tuberculosis treatment, we reported herein the use of MW as a tool to obtain new QdNO derivatives containing the N‐acylhydrazone subunit. Four different synthetic routes were evaluated by using different benzofuroxan derivatives in the Beirut's reaction. The synthetic route D, which employed a dioxolan‐benzofuroxan derivative, has shown to be the best condition to obtain the desired hybrid quinoxaline. MW drastically reduces the reaction time to obtain all compounds compared to conventional heating. For compound 13 , for example, the use of MW instead of conventional heating was able to reduce the reaction time in 192‐fold. In conclusion, the use of a benzofuroxan derivative without additional electrophilic sites besides N‐oxide nitrogen and the employment of the microwave‐assisted synthesis have proved to be the optimum condition to obtain quinoxaline 1,4‐di‐N‐oxide N‐acylhydrazone derivatives.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct C2 Arylation of N‐Substituted Indoles with 1‐Aryltriazenes

A novel and efficient palladium‐catalyzed C2 arylation of N‐substituted indoles with 1‐aryltriazenes for the synthesis of 2‐arylindoles was developed. In the presence of BF₃ ? OEt₂ and palladium(II) acetate (Pd(OAc)₂), N‐substituted indoles reacted with 1‐aryltriazenes in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAC) to afford the corresponding aryl–indole‐type products in good to excellent yields.     

Directly Bridging Indoles to 3,3′‐Bisindolylmethanes by Using Carboxylic Acids and Hydrosilanes under Mild Conditions

A straightforward Lewis acid‐promoted protocol for 3,3′‐bisindolylmethanes (BIMs) synthesis by reductive alkylation of indoles at the C3 position with carboxylic acids in the presence of hydrosilane was developed for the first time. Instead of aldehydes, more readily available, stable, and easy‐to‐handle carboxylic acids have been employed as alternative alkylating agents. As an efficient organocatalyst, B(C₆F₅)₃ enables the reductive alkylation of various substituted indole derivatives with carboxylic acids with up to 98 % yield at room temperature and under neat conditions. This metal‐free strategy offers an alternative approach for the direct functionalization of indoles to BIMs with carboxylic acids and such protocol allows selective reduction of carboxylic acid to aldehyde in combination with C−C bond formation.     

Rearrangement of spiro[2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2,2′‐[2H]indoles] to pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indole derivatives

Heating of 1′‐(N‐substituted carbamoyl)methylspiro[2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2,2′‐[2H]indoles] with potassium hydroxide in ethanol yields diastereomeric 5a,13‐methano‐6H‐1,3‐benzoxazepino[3,2‐a]indole‐12‐carbox‐amides. Reduction of the latter with sodium borohydride affords 1,2,3,9a‐tetrahydro‐2‐hydroxyaryl‐9H‐pyrrolo[ 1,2‐a] indole‐3 ‐carboxamides.     

Aniline‐Promoted Cyclization–Replacement Cascade Reactions of 2‐Hydroxycinnamaldehydes with Various Carbonic Nucleophiles through In Situ Formed N,O‐Acetals

In this study, we report the harnessing of new reactivity of N,O‐acetals in an aminocatalytic fashion for organic synthesis. Unlike widely used strategies requiring the use of acids and/or elevated temperatures, direct replacement of the amine component of the N,O‐acetals by carbon‐centered nucleophiles for C?C bond formation is realized under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, without necessary preformation of the N,O‐acetals, an amine‐catalyzed in situ formation of N,O‐acetals is developed. Coupling both reactions into a one‐pot operation enables the achievement of a catalytic process. We demonstrate the employment of simple anilines as promoters for the cyclization–substitution cascade reactions of trans‐2‐hydroxycinnamaldehydes with various carbonic nucleophiles including indoles, pyrroles, naphthols, phenols, and silyl enol ethers. The process offers an alternative approach to structurally diverse, “privileged” 2‐substituted 2H‐chromenes. The synthetic power of the new process is furthermore shown by its application in a 2‐step synthesis of the natural product candenatenin E and for the facile installation of 2‐substituted 2H‐chromene moieties into biologically active indoles.     

Platinum‐Catalyzed Multi‐Step Reaction of Propargyl Alcohols with N‐Heteroaromatics

N‐Methyl indole reacts with but‐2‐yn‐1‐ol in the presence of PtCl₂ in MeOH giving indole derivatives having a substituted 3‐oxobutyl group at the 3‐position in good yield. Under the reaction conditions, various substituted indoles and substituted propargyl alcohols are successfully involved in the reaction giving the corresponding addition products in good to moderate yields. The catalytic reaction can be further extended to N‐phenyl pyrrole. In the present multi‐step reaction, PtCl₂ likely plays dual roles: as the catalyst for the rearrangement of propargyl alcohols to the corresponding alkenyl ketones and as the catalyst for the addition of indoles to the alkenyl ketones. Experimental evidence is provided to support the proposed mechanism.     

Facile Installation of 2‐Reverse Prenyl Functionality into Indoles by a Tandem N‐Alkylation–Aza‐Cope Rearrangement Reaction and Its Application in Synthesis

An unprecedented tandem N‐alkylation–ionic aza‐Cope (or Claisen) rearrangement–hydrolysis reaction of readily available indolyl bromides with enamines is described. Due to the complicated nature of the two processes, an operationally simple N‐alkylation and subsequent microwave‐irradiated ionic aza‐Cope rearrangement–hydrolysis process has been uncovered. The tandem reaction serves as a powerful approach to the preparation of synthetically and biologically important, but challenging, 2‐reverse quaternary‐centered prenylated indoles with high efficiency. Notably, unusual nonaromatic 3‐methylene‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indole architectures, instead of aromatic indoles, are produced. Furthermore, the aza‐Cope rearrangement reaction proceeds highly regioselectively to give the quaternary‐centered reverse prenyl functionality, which often produces a mixture of two regioisomers by reported methods. The synthetic value of the resulting nonaromatic 3‐methylene‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indole architectures has been demonstrated as versatile building blocks in the efficient synthesis of structurally diverse 2‐reverse prenylated indoles, such as indolines, indole‐fused sultams and lactams, and the natural product bruceolline D.     

Synthesis,characterization and spectral studies of various newer 4‐benzyloxy‐1H‐indole‐2‐carboxylic acid (arylidene)‐hydrazides

4‐Benzyloxyindole‐2‐carboxylic acid hydrazide reacts with aromatic and heterocyclic aldehydes in alcoholic medium in refluxing conditions to give 4‐benzyloxy‐1H‐indole‐2‐carboxylic acid (arylidene)‐hydrazides, important synthetic intermediates for the synthesis of a newer class of pharmacologically active compounds. We describe here the synthesis of various 4‐benzyloxy‐1H‐indole‐2‐carboxylic acid (arylidene)‐hydrazides by conventional as well as microwave irradiation techniques. The structures of these compounds have been confirmed by spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, NMR and MS). Some of the interesting features of the electron impact mass spectral fragmentation pattern of these compounds are also discussed.     

Effect of Indole‐3‐Acetic Acid Analogs on the Differentiation of HL‐60 Cells

In continuing search for novel cell differentiation agents, a series of derivatives of indole‐3‐acetic acid and indole‐3‐carboxylic acid were prepared and tested against HL‐60 cells for their differentiation and antiproliferation activities. Among them, N‐ethyl‐1‐benzylindole‐3‐carboxamide ( 14 ) was the most potent, whereas N‐methyl 1‐benzylindole‐3‐acetamide ( 5 ) and N‐methyl 1‐benzylindole‐3‐carboxamide ( 13 ) synergistically potentiated with all‐trans‐retinoic acid to induce cell differentiation as well as antiproliferation. Our results indicate that these compounds are effective cell differentiation and antiproliferation agents in combination with retinoic acid.     

Latent Nucleophiles in Lewis Base Catalyzed Enantioselective N‐Allylations of N‐Heterocycles

Latent nucleophiles are compounds that are themselves not nucleophilic but can produce a strong nucleophile when activated. Such nucleophiles can expand the scope of Lewis base catalyzed reactions. As a proof of concept, we report that N‐silyl pyrroles, indoles, and carbazoles serve as latent N‐centered nucleophiles in substitution reactions of allylic fluorides catalyzed by Lewis bases. The reactions feature broad scopes for both reaction partners, excellent regioselectivities, and produce enantioenriched N‐allyl pyrroles, indoles, and carbazoles when chiral cinchona alkaloid catalysts are used.     

Synthesis of 2,N,N‐Trisubstituted 1H‐Indole‐1‐carbothioamides from 2‐(Acylmethyl)phenyl Isocyanides

A convenient procedure for the synthesis of 2,N,N‐trisubstituted 1H‐indole‐1‐carbothioamides from 2‐(acylmethyl)phenyl isocyanides has been developed. Thus, these isocyanides are converted into (Z)‐ [1‐alkyl (or phenyl)‐2‐(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)ethenyl] 1,1‐dimethylethyl carbonates via an easy two‐step sequence. Treatment with secondary amines gave thiourea intermediates which afforded with CF₃COOH (TFA) the desired products in fair‐to‐good yields.     

A facile one step synthesis of 1,6 ‐dihydro‐7H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐d]‐pyrimidin‐7‐ones

A general synthetic approach to pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidines is reported. Aldehydes, arylideneanilines, carboxylic acids and orthoesters are used as one‐carbon units for bridging the two amino functions of 4‐amino‐1‐alkyl‐3‐propylpyrazole‐5‐carboxamides.     

Acylation of Cellulose with N,N′‐Carbonyldiimidazole‐Activated Acids in the Novel Solvent Dimethyl Sulfoxide/Tetrabutylammonium Fluoride

Summary: Carboxylic acids were efficiently activated with N,N′‐carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) and applied for the acylation of cellulose under homogeneous conditions using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/tetrabutylammonium fluoride trihydrate (TBAF) as solvent. The simple and elegant method is a very mild and easily applicable tool for the synthesis of pure aliphatic, alicyclic, bulky, and unsaturated cellulose esters with degrees of substitution of up to 1.9. Products are soluble in organic solvents, e.g., DMSO or N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). The cellulose esters were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and show no impurities or substructures resulting from side reactions.

The esterification of cellulose using carboxylic acids activated in situ with N,N′‐carbonyldiimidazole.     

PIII‐Chelation‐Assisted Indole C7‐Arylation,Olefination, Methylation,and Acylation with Carboxylic Acids/Anhydrides by Rhodium Catalysis

Rhodium‐catalyzed C7‐selective decarbonylative arylation, olefination, and methylation of indoles with carboxylic acids or anhydrides by C?H and C?C bond activation have been developed. Furthermore, C7‐acylation products can also be generated selectively at a lower reaction temperature in the developed system. The key to the high reactivity and regioselectivity of this transformation is the appropriate choice of an indole N‐PtBu₂ chelation‐assisted group. This method has many advantages, including easy access and removal of the directing group, the use of cheap and widely available coupling agents, no requirement of an external ligand or oxidant, a broad substrate scope, high efficiency, and the formation of a sole regioisomer.     

PIII‐Chelation‐Assisted Indole C7‐Arylation,Olefination, Methylation,and Acylation with Carboxylic Acids/Anhydrides by Rhodium Catalysis

Rhodium‐catalyzed C7‐selective decarbonylative arylation, olefination, and methylation of indoles with carboxylic acids or anhydrides by C?H and C?C bond activation have been developed. Furthermore, C7‐acylation products can also be generated selectively at a lower reaction temperature in the developed system. The key to the high reactivity and regioselectivity of this transformation is the appropriate choice of an indole N‐PtBu₂ chelation‐assisted group. This method has many advantages, including easy access and removal of the directing group, the use of cheap and widely available coupling agents, no requirement of an external ligand or oxidant, a broad substrate scope, high efficiency, and the formation of a sole regioisomer.     

Access to Pyrazolidin‐3,5‐diones through Anodic N–N Bond Formation

Pyrazolidin‐3,5‐diones are important motifs in heterocyclic chemistry and are of high interest for pharmaceutical applications. In classic organic synthesis, the hydrazinic moiety is installed through condensation using the corresponding hydrazine building blocks. However, most N,N′‐diaryl hydrazines are toxic and require upstream preparation owing to their low commercial availability. We present an alternative and sustainable synthetic approach to pyrazolidin‐3,5‐diones that employs readily accessible dianilides as precursors, which are anodically converted to furnish the N?N bond. The electroconversion is conducted in a simple undivided cell under constant‐current conditions.     

Enantioselective Reactions of N‐Acyliminium Ions Using Chiral Organocatalysts

N‐acyliminium ions are reactive intermediates that can act as electron‐deficient electrophiles toward weak or soft nucleophiles, thereby providing useful methods for both intermolecular‐ and intramolecular carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bond formation. Nucleophilic additions to N‐acyliminium ions constitute an important method for providing α‐functionalized amino compounds and many other biologically active nitrogen‐containing heterocycles. The development of efficient catalytic asymmetric reactions is a key objective in modern organic chemistry and is very important for the synthesis of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. Various methods are available for this purpose and mostly rely on the use of chiral catalysts for enantioselective synthesis. This review deals with one aspect of such catalysis, which has emerged only in the past few years, and its applications in enantioselective reactions of N‐acyliminium ions to provide various nitrogen‐containing heterocycles.