2-(2-Phenyl-1H-phenanthro-[9,10-d]imidazole-1-yl)-acetic acid (PPIA) and its application for determination of amines by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and identification with mass spectroscopy/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization

A simple, sensitive, and mild method for the determination of amino compounds based on a condensation reaction with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC·HCl) as the dehydrant with fluorescence detection has been developed. Amines were derivatized to their acidamides with labeling reagent 2-(2-phenyl-1H-phenanthro-[9,10-d]imidazole-1-yl)-acetic acid (PPIA). Studies on derivatization conditions indicated that the coupling reaction proceeded rapidly and smoothly in the presence of a base catalyst in acetonitrile to give the corresponding sensitively fluorescent derivatives with an excitation maximum at λ_ex 260 nm and an emission maximum at λ_em 380 nm. The labeled derivatives exhibited high stability and were enough to be efficiently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Identification of derivatives was carried out by online post-column mass spectrometry (LC/APCI-MS/MS) and showed an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding m/z [MH]⁺ under APCI in positive-ion mode. At the same time, the fluorescence properties of derivatives in various solvents or at different temperature were investigated. The method, in conjunction with a gradient elution, offered a baseline resolution of the common amine derivatives on a reversed-phase Eclipse XDB-C₈ column. LC separation for the derivatized amines showed good reproducibility with acetonitrile-water as mobile phase. Detection limits calculated from 0.78 pmol injection, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, were 3.1-18.2 fmol. The mean intra- and inter-assay precision for all amine levels were <3.85% and 2.11%, respectively. Excellent linear responses were observed with coefficients of >0.9996. The established method for the determination of aliphatic amines from real wastewater and biological samples was satisfactory.     

Determination of amines using 2-(11H-benzo[a]carbazol-11-yl) ethyl chloroformate (BCEC-Cl) as labeling reagent by HPLC with fluorescence detection and identification with APCI/MS

A pre-column derivatization method for the sensitive determination of amines using a labeling reagent 2-(11H-benzo[a]-carbazol-11-yl) ethyl chloroformate (BCEC-Cl) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been developed. Identification of derivatives was carried out by LC/APCI/MS in positive-ion mode. The chromophore of 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC-Cl) reagent was replaced by 2-(11H-benzo[a]-carbazol-11-yl) ethyl functional group, which resulted in a sensitive fluorescence derivatizing reagent BCEC-Cl. BCEC-Cl could easily and quickly label amines. Derivatives were stable enough to be efficiently analyzed by HPLC and showed an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding m/z [M + H]⁺ under APCI/MS in positive-ion mode. The collision-induced dissociation of the protonated molecular ion formed characteristic fragment ions at m/z 261.8 and m/z 243.8 corresponding to the cleavages of CH₂O-CO and CH₂-OCO bonds. Studies on derivatization demonstrated excellent derivative yields over the pH 9.0-10.0. Maximal yields close to 100% were observed with three- to four-fold molar reagent excess. In addition, the detection responses for BCEC-derivatives were compared to those obtained using 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC-Cl) and 9-fluorenyl methylchloroformate (FMOC-Cl) as labeling reagents. The ratios I_BCEC/I_BCEOC = 1.94-2.17 and I_BCEC/I_FMOC = 1.04-2.19 for fluorescent (FL) responses (here, I was relative fluorescence intensity). Separation of the derivatized amines had been optimized on reversed-phase Eclipse XDB-C₈ column. Detection limits calculated from 0.50 pmol injection, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, were 1.77-14.4 fmol. The relative standard deviations for within-day determination (n = 11) were 1.84-2.89% for the tested amines. The mean intra- and inter-assay precision for all amines levels were <3.64% and 2.52%, respectively. The mean recoveries ranged from 96.6% to 107.1% with their standard deviations in the range of 0.8-2.7. Excellent linear responses were observed with coefficients of >0.9996.     

Reaction of 1-vinylpyrrole-2-carbaldehydes with phosphorus pentachloride: a stereoselective synthesis of E-2-(2-dichloromethylpyrrol-1-yl)vinylphosphonyl dichlorides

1-Vinylpyrrole-2-carbaldehydes react with phosphorus pentachloride (benzene, 10-15 °C) to afford E-2-(2-dichloromethylpyrrol-1-yl)vinylphosphonium hexachlorophosphates in up to 85% yield, which after treatment with SO₂ (benzene, rt) are converted into E-2-(2-dichloromethylpyrrol-1-yl)vinylphosphonyl dichlorides in 50-75% yields.     

N-(Pyridin-2-yl)picolinamide tetranickel clusters: Synthesis,structure and ethylene oligomerization

A series of N-(pyridin-2-yl)picolinamide derivatives was synthesized and characterized. Tetranickel complexes were obtained by stoichiometric reaction of NiBr₂ and corresponding ligands, and characterized by elemental and spectroscopic analysis. Moreover, the coordination pattern of complex 3a was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the structure, two ligands linked two nickel atoms to form a unit, and two units were bridged via μ₃-OMe and μ₂-Br to form a tetranickel cluster. These Ni(II) complexes were investigated in ethylene oligomerization and found to exhibit remarkable catalytic activities upon activation with MAO. Reaction conditions as well as ligand environment significantly affected the catalytic performance of the nickel complexes; the highest activity could be achieved to be 2.7 × 10⁶ g mol⁻¹ Ni h⁻¹.     

2-(Benzimidazol-2-yl)-1,10-phenanthrolyl metal (Fe and Co) complexes and their catalytic behaviors toward ethylene oligomerization

The N^∧N^∧N-tridentate metal complexes, LMCl₂ (M = Fe or Co; L represents a ligand of 2-(benzimidazol-2-yl)-1,10-phenanthrolines), were synthesized and fully characterized with spectroscopic and elemental analysis. The single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses revealed complex 1a with a distorted octahedron geometry due to incorporating one methanol molecule, and complexes 5a and 9b with a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. Upon activation with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), these complexes showed good to high catalytic activities toward ethylene oligomerization. The detailed investigations were carried out to disclose the influences of various reaction conditions and nature of ligands on their performing activities of metal complexes.     

A novel and convenient route for the construction of 5-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indoles and its application in the synthesis of Rizatriptan

In this study, a novel and convenient route for the construction of 5-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indoles (8) is presented starting from (1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methanol (5) and indolines (6) under 98% H₂SO₄ at room temperature for 4–24 h, followed by deacetylation and dehydrogenation. Based on this finding, a novel route to synthesize Rizatriptan starting from tryptamine was designed and accomplished with 48.5% overall yield in 6 steps. Compared with operational art, the new route afforded higher yield and more pure products requiring no chromatographic purification, which may further be applied in industrialization.     

Hypervalent triphenyl and diphenyl tin coordination compounds derived from 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenol

Reactions of 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenol (1) and SnPh₃Cl, SnPh₂Cl₂ and SnCl₄ were investigated. One tetracoordinated triphenyltin(IV) compound: triphenyltin-2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenolate] (3) and its adducts: [O → Sn] dimethylsulfoxide triphenyltin-[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenolate] (4), [O → Sn] aqua triphenyltin-[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenolate] (5) [O → Sn] ethanol triphenyltin-[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenolate] (6), [N → Sn] pyridine triphenyltin-[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenolate] (7), where 1 acts as a monodentate ligand bound through the phenol oxygen, were obtained. In the pentacoordinated compounds 4-7, the tin atom has tbp geometry. The three phenyl groups are in equatorial positions, whereas the benzimidazole and the Lewis base are in apical positions. Two hexacoordinated tin compounds: diphenyltin-bis[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl-κN)phenolate-κO] (8), dichlorotin-bis[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl-κN)phenolate-κO] (9) bearing two bidentate ligands are reported. The coplanar ligands in 8 and 9 form six membered rings by oxygen and nitrogen coordination. The tin geometry is all-trans octahedral. In 8 the two phenyl groups, and in 9 the two chlorine atoms are perpendicular to the plane of the ligands. Compounds were identified in solution mainly by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and in the solid state by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

胆汁酸的双敏感探针苯并[b]吖啶酮-5-乙基对甲苯磺酸酯: 荧光检测和APCI-MS鉴定

在Hypersil C₁₈色谱柱上, 利用新型荧光试剂苯并[b]吖啶酮-5-乙基对甲苯磺酸酯(BAETS)作柱前衍生化试剂, 采用梯度洗脱对10种胆汁酸衍生物进行了优化分离. 在二甲亚砜溶剂中, 以碳酸钾作催化剂, 95 ℃, 45 min后获得稳定的荧光产物. 衍生物在稳态荧光条件下, 在乙腈和甲醇水溶液中的百分离子化δ值在0%～88.83%和0%～89.15%范围内. 最大激发和发射波长为λ_ex/λ_em＝272/505 nm. 采用大气压化学电离源(APCI)正离子模式实现了胆汁中胆汁酸的定性定量测定. 线性回归系数均在0.9995以上, 线性范围宽, 检出限为0.76～1.62 ng/mL.     

Synthesis, characterization, and ethylene polymerization behavior of [(RR′-admpzp)2Ti(OPr)2] complexes (RR′-admpzp = 1-dialkylamino-3-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-propan-2-olate)

[(RR′-admpzp)₂Ti(OPrⁱ)₂] complexes (2a-c), synthesized from reaction of Ti(OPrⁱ)₃Cl (0.5 equiv) with 1-dialkylamino-3-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-propan-2-ol compounds in the presence of triethylamine (0.5 equiv), are pseudo-octahedral with each RR′-admpzp ligand κ²-O,N(pyrazolyl) coordinated to the titanium center. In solution, 2a-c adopt isomeric structures that are in dynamic equilibrium. At 23 °C, 2a-c/1000 MAO catalyst systems furnished high molecular weight polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 2.7-2.8). At 100 °C, 2a-c/MAO catalyst systems exhibited increased polymerization activity and 2c/1000 MAO system furnished high molecular weight polyethylene with a molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 2.1) that is close to that found for single-site catalysts.     

Iron(II) and cobalt(II) complexes bearing N-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)-quinolin-8-amine derivatives: Synthesis and application to ethylene oligomerization

A series of tridentate NˆNˆN iron(II) and cobalt(II) complexes containing N-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)-quinolin-8-amine derivatives were synthesized and characterized by elemental and spectroscopic analyses. The molecular structure of 1a was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. On treatment with modified methylaluminoxane, these metal complexes exhibited good catalytic activities up to 2.8 × 10⁶ g mol⁻¹(Fe) h⁻¹ for ethylene oligomerization, and butenes were the major products with nice selectivity for 1-C₄. The steric and electronic effects on catalytic activities of metal complexes were carefully investigated as well as the influence of various reaction parameters. In the catalytic system, Fe(II) complexes performed better catalytic activities than their Co(II) analogues. With ligands having bulky substituents, the better catalytic activity was observed in catalytic system of Fe(II) complex, however, the lower catalytic activity was obtained in catalytic system of Co(II) complexes.     

Synthesis,spectral and electrochemical properties of mixed-ligand ruthenium(II) complexes of bis(pyrid-2-yl)- and bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)-dithioether ligands: Effect of an asymmetric diimine co-ligand

Two new mixed-ligand Ru(II) complexes [Ru(pdto)(dppt)](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Ru(bbdo)(dppt)](ClO₄)₂ (2), where pdto = 1,8-bis(pyrid-2-yl)-3,6-dithiaoctane, bbdo = 1,8-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)-3,6-dithiaoctane and dppt = 3-(pyridin-2-yl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine, have been isolated and characterised by elemental analysis. NMR and electronic absorption and emission spectral and electrochemical techniques have been used to investigate the solution structures and electronic properties of the complexes. The ¹H and ¹³C spectra of the complexes in solution reveal that the N₂S₂ donor set of the pdto and bbdo ligands is “cis-α” coordinated and the dppt ligand is chelated to Ru(II) through both triazine N2 and pyridine nitrogen atoms. The proton chemical shifts of the phenyl rings of dppt are not affected much upon coordination, supporting the triazine N2 rather than N4 coordination. The anomalous upfield shifts of the H₆₁ and H₆₂ (1) and H₇₂ and H₈₁ (2) protons are caused by the shielding magnetic anisotropy due to the ring currents of the py and tra rings of dppt, which are forced to be coplanar by coordination. The py and bzim rings of pdto and bbdo are obliged to rotate away from dppt and the Ru–N_py and Ru–N_bzim bonds lengthen in order to minimise the steric clashes with dppt. The c.i.s values for 1 are less positive than those for 2 suggesting that the ligand bzim nitrogens of bbdo rather than the py nitrogens of pdto are involved in stronger σ-bonding with Ru(II). Both the complexes display a strong MLCT transition (1, 470; 2, 515 nm) along with intense intraligand transitions in the UV region, and when excited in the MLCT band an emission band (650 nm) is observed for both 1 and 2. In acetonitrile solution they show a quasi-reversible Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox couple (E_1/2, 1, 1.18; 2, 0.90 V). Two more redox processes (E_1/2, 1, −0.97, −1.09; 2, −1.06, −1.42 V) involving the coordinated dppt ligand are also observed. A plot of the difference between the metal oxidation and ligand reduction potentials of the complexes versus the absorption or emission maxima is linear, illustrating that the lowest π^∗ orbitals of dppt are involved in the redox, absorption and emission processes in the complexes. Electrochemical parameterisation of the Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox potentials of the present complexes has been carried out using Lever’s method and the calculated ligand reduction potential E_L(L) correlates well with the observed Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox potentials.     

Formation and crystal structures of [(alkoxy)bis(pyridin-2-yl)methanolato-N,O,N]tin(IV) complexes

Reactions of bis(pyridin-2-yl)ketone with tin tetrahalides, SnX₄ (X = Cl or Br), or organotin trichlorides, R^′SnCl₃ (R^′ = Ph, Bu or CH₂CH₂CO₂Me), in ROH (R = Me or Et) readily produces RObis(pyridin-2-yl)methanolato)tin complexes, [5: RO(py)₂C(OSnX₃)] (5: R,X = Me,Cl; Et,Cl; Et,Br) or [6: MeO(py)₂C(OSnCl₂R^′)] (R^′ = Ph, Bu, CH₂CH₂CO₂Me). In addition, halide exchange reaction between SnI₄ and (5: R,X = Me,Cl) occurred to give (5: R,X = Me,I). The crystal structures of six tin(IV) derivatives indicated, in all cases, a monoanionic tridentate ligand, [RO(py)₂C(O⁻)-N,O,N], arranged in a fac manner about a distorted octahedral tin atom. The Sn–O and Sn–N bonds lengths do not show much variation amongst the six complexes despite the differences in the other ligands at tin.     

Synthesis of substituted 4-(1H-indol-6-yl)-1H-indazoles as potential PDK1 inhibitors

The development of a preparative route to a series of novel 4-(1H-indol-6-yl)-1H-indazole compounds as potential PDK1 inhibitors is described. The synthetic strategy centres on the late-stage Suzuki cross-coupling of N-unprotected indazole and indole fragments. The use of a monoligated palladium catalyst system was found to be highly beneficial in the cross-coupling reaction. The indazole and indole fragments were constructed by diazotisation/cyclisation and S_NAr/reductive cyclisation sequences, respectively.     

A sensitive fluorescence reagent for the determination of aldehydes from alcoholic beverage using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and mass spectrometric identification

A pre-column derivatization method for the sensitive determination of aldehydes using the tagging reagent 2-[2-(7H-dibenzo[a,g] carbazol-7-yl)-ethoxy] ethyl carbonylhydrazine (DBCEEC) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and APCI-MS identification has been developed. The chromophore of fluoren-9-methoxy-carbonylhydrazine (Fmoc-hydrazine) reagent was replaced by 2-[2-(7H-dibenzo[a,g] carbazol-7-yl)-ethoxy] ethyl functional group, which resulted in a sensitive fluorescence tagging reagent DBCEEC. DBCEEC could easily and quickly labeled aldehydes. The maximum excitation (300 nm) and emission (400 nm) wavelengths did not essentially change for all the aldehyde derivatives. Derivatives were sufficiently stable to be efficiently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The derivatives showed an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding m/z [M + (CH₂)_n]⁺ in positive-ion mode (M: molecular weight of DBCEEC, n: corresponding aldehyde carbon atom numbers). The collision-induced dissociation of protonated molecular ion formed fragment ions at m/z 294.6, m/z 338.6 and m/z 356.5. Studies on derivatization demonstrated excellent derivative yields in the presence of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) catalyst. Maximal yields close to 100% were observed with a 10 to 15-fold molar reagent excess. Separation of the derivatized aldehydes had been optimized on ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C₈ column with aqueous acetonitrile as mobile phase in conjunction with a binary gradient elution. Excellent linear responses were observed at the concentration range of 0.01-10 nmol mL⁻¹ with coefficients of >0.9991. Detection limits obtained by the analysis of a derivatized standard containing 0.01 nmol mL⁻¹ of each aldehyde, were from 0.2 to 1.78 nmol L⁻¹ (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3).     

Characterization and application of a new ultraviolet derivatization reagent for amino acids analysis in capillary electrophoresis

A new ultraviolet (UV) labeling reagent, p-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl fluoride (PAABS-F), was designed and synthesized to label and determine the amino acids by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with diode-array detector (DAD). PAABS-F is very stable and easy to synthesize. It reacted with primary or secondary amino acids very quickly under facile conditions to give corresponding derivatives in high yield with excellent sensitivity and stability. No by-products were observed in amino acid derivatives when stored at room temperature under natural daylight for at least 7 days. Both amino acids standard solution and real samples reacted with this new UV labeling reagent smoothly to form high UV-absorption derivatives. The labeled 20 standard amino acids were efficiently separated by CE and the mass detection limits (S/N = 3) were ranged from 59.3 fmol for l-tryptophan to 1.70 pmol for l-histidine.     

Synthesis of 3-[4-(1-Benzofuran-2-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-2-(4-aryl)-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one Derivatives as Biological Agents

A protocol for the synthesis of 3-[4-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-2-(4-aryl)-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives (5a–e) has been developed from 1-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-2-bromoethanone (2),which served as a key intermediate for the synthesis of the title compounds. The reaction of compound 2 with thiourea furnished 4-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-amine 3, which upon further reaction with various aromatic aldehydes, gave Schiff bases 4a–e. These Schiff bases, when treated with thioacetic acid in the presence of catalytic amount of anhydrous ZnCl₂, yielded thiazolidinone derivatives 5a–e. All the newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectral data and screened for their antimicrobial and analgesic activity.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of polymeric and dimeric triphenyltin(IV) complexes of 4-[((E)-1-{2-hydroxy-5-[(E)-2-(2-carboxyphenyl)-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino]aryls

The triphenyltin(IV) complexes of 4-[((E)-1-{2-hydroxy-5-[(E)-2-(2-carboxyphenyl)-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino]aryls (aryls = 4-CH₃, 4-Br, 4-Cl, 4-OCH₃) have been synthesized and characterized by ¹H-, ¹³C-, ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR, ESI mass spectrometry, IR and ^119mSn Mössbauer spectroscopic techniques in combination with elemental analysis. The crystal structures of a representative carboxylate ligand (aryl = 4-CH₃) and three Sn complexes, viz., polymeric (Ph₃Sn[O₂CC₆H₄{NN(C₆H₃-4-OH(C(H)NC₆H₄X-4))}-o])_n (X = Me (1) and Br (2)) and dimeric (Ph₃Sn[O₂CC₆H₄{NN(C₆H₃-4-OH(C(H)NC₆H₄X-4))}-o])₂ (X = OMe (4)) complexes are reported. The coordination environment in each complex is trigonal bipyramidal trans-Ph₃SnO₂. A single zwitterionic carboxylate ligand bridges adjacent Sn atoms via the carboxylate and phenoxide O atoms.     

Uncatalyzed addition of indoles and N-methylpyrrole to 3-formylchromones: synthesis of (chromon-3-yl)bis(indol-3-yl)methanes and E-2-hydroxy-3-(1-methylpyrrol-2-ylmethylene)chroman-4-ones under solvent-free conditions

(Chromon-3-yl)bis(indol-3-yl)methanes and E-2-hydroxy-3-(1-methylpyrrol-2-ylmethylene)chroman-4-ones have been obtained in good yields from 3-formylchromones on reaction with indoles and N-methylpyrrole under solvent-free conditions.     

1-(2′-Pyridylazo)-2-naphtholate (PAN) complexes of rhodium(III): Synthesis,structure and spectral studies

The ligating properties 1-(2′-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (HPAN) toward Rh(III) have been examined. The reaction of RhCl₃·3H₂O with HPAN in presence of excess PPh₃ afforded trans-[Rh(PAN)Cl(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ (3PF₆). Intermediate cis-[Rh(PAN)Cl₂(PPh₃)] (4) has also been isolated. Solid state structures were authenticated by X-ray analyses revealing that monoanionic PAN is coordinated to rhodium in meridional fashion. Both the compounds were spectroscopically characterized in both solution and solid states, which include IR, NMR (¹H and ³¹P), and optical spectra. The diamagnetic complexes show multiple CT transitions in the visible region. Low-energy transitions (λ ≈ 550–650 nm) occurred in the absorption spectra are predominantly ligand centered in nature. The rhodium(III)–PAN compounds are red emissive (λ_em ≈ 650 nm) at room temperature and the nature of the emission level is probably an ILCT level. Complexes are electro-active in acetonitrile and display irreversible oxidative and reductive waves and these responses are ascribed to be PAN ligand centered in character.     

Quantum chemical study of the transformation of 2-(N-alkylamino)-3-(indol-1-yl)-and 2-(N-alkylamino)-3-(indol-3-yl)maleimides by protic acids: Tandem hydride transfer/cyclization mechanism

The geometric parameters, the charge distribution, and the energetics of N-methyl-2-(N-ethylanilino)-3-(indol-1-yl)-and N-methyl-2-(N-ethylanilino)-3-(indol-3-yl)maleimides and their conjugated acids were studied by density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The mechanism of the tandem hydride transfer/cyclization sequence, which occurs after protonation of N-methyl-2-(N-ethylanilino)-3-(indol-1-yl)-and N-methyl-2-(N-ethylanilino)-3-(indol-3-yl)maleimides, was analyzed. The investigation of the potential energy surface for the tandem hydride transfer/cyclization of the iminium cation that formed upon protonation revealed that the hydride transfer followed by intramolecular cyclization at position 7 of the indole fragment in N-methyl-2-(N-ethylanilino)-3-(indol-1-yl)maleimide is the preferable process, unlike alternative intramolecular cyclization involving the cationic center at the C(2) atom of the indole fragment and the benzene ring of the N-ethylaniline fragment of the indoleninium cation in N-methyl-2-(N-ethylanilino)-3-(indol-3-yl)maleimide. A study of the key intermediates of the assumed reaction mechanism demonstrated that these intermediates are actually stationary points on the potential energy surface (minima and transition states). Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2069–2073, December, 2006.