Palladium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Cacchi Reaction: Asymmetric Synthesis of Axially Chiral 2,3‐Disubstituted Indoles

We report herein the first examples of a palladium‐catalyzed enantioselective Cacchi reaction for the synthesis of indoles bearing a chiral C2‐aryl axis. In the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)₂ and (R,R)‐QuinoxP* ligand, reaction of N‐aryl(alkyl)sulfonyl‐2‐alkynylanilides with arylboronic acids under oxygen atmosphere afforded enantioenriched 2,3‐disubstituted indoles in high yields and enantioselectivity. The indole ring is constructed de novo in this process and a complexation‐induced chirality transfer is proposed to account for the observed enantioselectivity.     

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.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Annulation of ortho‐Alkynylanilines: Synthesis of Axially Chiral Naphthyl‐C2‐indoles

A chiral Brønsted base catalyzed asymmetric annulation of ortho‐alkynylanilines has been developed to access axially chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles via vinylidene ortho‐quinone methide (VQM) intermediates. This strategy provides a unique organocatalytic atroposelective route to axially chiral aryl‐C2‐indole skeletons with excellent enantioselectivity and functional‐group tolerance. This transformation was applicable to decagram‐scale preparation (50.0 g) with perfect enantioselectivity through simple recrystallization. Moreover, the utility of this reaction was demonstrated by a variety of transformations towards chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles for a series of carbon–heteroatom bond formations. Furthermore, the prepared axially chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles were applied as a chiral skeleton for organocatalytic aza‐Baylis–Hillman reaction and asymmetric formal [4+2] tandem cyclization to give the corresponding adducts in high yields with improved enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Alkylation of Indoles with Tertiary Amines by Oxidation of a sp3 C?H Bond and Lewis Acid Catalysis

Ruthenium porphyrins (particularly [Ru(2,6‐Cl₂tpp)CO]; tpp=tetraphenylporphinato) and RuCl₃ can act as oxidation and/or Lewis acid catalysts for direct C‐3 alkylation of indoles, giving the desired products in high yields (up to 82 % based on 60–95 % substrate conversions). These ruthenium compounds catalyze oxidative coupling reactions of a wide variety of anilines and indoles bearing electron‐withdrawing or electron‐donating substituents with high regioselectivity when using tBuOOH as an oxidant, resulting in the alkylation of N‐arylindoles to 3‐{[(N‐aryl‐N‐alkyl)amino]methyl}indoles (yield: up to 82 %, conversion: up to 95 %) and the alkylation of N‐alkyl or N‐H indoles to 3‐[p‐(dialkylamino)benzyl]indoles (yield: up to 73 %, conversion: up to 92 %). A tentative reaction mechanism involving two pathways is proposed: an iminium ion intermediate may be generated by oxidation of an sp³ C? H bond of the alkylated aniline by an oxoruthenium species; this iminium ion could then either be trapped by an N‐arylindole (pathway A) or converted to formaldehyde, allowing a subsequent three‐component coupling reaction of the in situ generated formaldehyde with an N‐alkylindole and an aniline in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst (pathway B). The results of deuterium‐labeling experiments are consistent with the alkylation of N‐alkylindoles via pathway B. The relative reaction rates of [Ru(2,6‐Cl₂tpp)CO]‐catalyzed oxidative coupling reactions of 4‐X‐substituted N,N‐dimethylanilines with N‐phenylindole (using tBuOOH as oxidant), determined through competition experiments, correlate linearly with the substituent constants σ (R²=0.989), giving a ρ value of ?1.09. This ρ value and the magnitudes of the intra‐ and intermolecular deuterium isotope effects (k_H/k_D) suggest that electron transfer most likely occurs during the initial stage of the oxidation of 4‐X‐substituted N,N‐dimethylanilines. Ruthenium‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of N‐alkyl/N‐H indoles, paraformaldehyde, and anilines gave 3‐[p‐(dialkylamino)benzyl]indoles in up to 82 % yield (conversion: up to 95 %).     

Copper‐Catalyzed Oxidative Amination and Allylic Amination of Alkenes

Enamines and enamides are useful synthetic intermediates and common components of bioactive compounds. A new protocol for their direct synthesis by a net alkene C? H amination and allylic amination by using catalytic Cu^II in the presence of MnO₂ is reported. Reactions between N‐aryl sulfonamides and vinyl arenes furnish enamides, allylic amines, indoles, benzothiazine dioxides, and dibenzazepines directly and efficiently. Control experiments further showed that MnO₂ alone can promote the reaction in the absence of a copper salt, albeit with lower efficiency. Mechanistic probes support the involvement of nitrogen‐radical intermediates. This method is ideal for the synthesis of enamides from 1,1‐disubstituted vinyl arenes, which are uncommon substrates in existing oxidative amination protocols.     

BippyPhos: A Single Ligand With Unprecedented Scope in the Buchwald–Hartwig Amination of (Hetero)aryl Chlorides

Over the past two decades, considerable attention has been given to the development of new ligands for the palladium‐catalyzed arylation of amines and related NH‐containing substrates (i.e., Buchwald–Hartwig amination). The generation of structurally diverse ligands, by research groups in both academia and industry, has facilitated the accommodation of sterically and electronically divergent substrates including ammonia, hydrazine, amines, amides, and NH heterocycles. Despite these achievements, problems with catalyst generality persist and access to multiple ligands is necessary to accommodate all of these NH‐containing substrates. In our quest to address this significant limitation we identified the BippyPhos/[Pd(cinnamyl)Cl]₂ catalyst system as being capable of catalyzing the amination of a variety of functionalized (hetero)aryl chlorides, as well as bromides and tosylates, at moderate to low catalyst loadings. The successful transformations described herein include primary and secondary amines, NH heterocycles, amides, ammonia and hydrazine, thus demonstrating the largest scope in the NH‐containing coupling partner reported for a single Pd/ligand catalyst system. We also established BippyPhos/[Pd(cinnamyl)Cl]₂ as exhibiting the broadest demonstrated substrate scope for metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of (hetero)aryl chlorides with NH indoles. Furthermore, the remarkable ability of BippyPhos/[Pd(cinnamyl)Cl]₂ to catalyze both the selective monoarylation of ammonia and the N‐arylation of indoles was exploited in the development of a new one‐pot, two‐step synthesis of N‐aryl heterocycles from ammonia, ortho‐alkynylhalo(hetero)arenes and (hetero) aryl halides through tandem N‐arylation/hydroamination reactions. Although the scope in the NH‐containing coupling partner is broad, BippyPhos/[Pd(cinnamyl)Cl]₂ also displays a marked selectivity profile that was exploited in the chemoselective monoarylation of substrates featuring two chemically distinct NH‐containing moieties.     

Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Indolines: Asymmetric Hydrogenation at Ambient Temperature and Pressure with Cationic Ruthenium Diamine Catalysts

A highly enantioselective synthesis of indolines by asymmetric hydrogenation of 1H‐indoles and 3H‐indoles at ambient temperature and pressure, catalyzed by chiral phosphine‐free cationic ruthenium complexes, has been developed. Excellent enantio‐ and diastereoselectivities (up to >99 % ee, >20:1 d.r.) were obtained for a wide range of indole derivatives, including unprotected 2‐substituted and 2,3‐disubstituted 1H‐indoles, as well as 2‐alkyl‐ and 2‐aryl‐substituted 3H‐indoles.     

Microwave‐Accelerated Pd‐Catalyzed Desulfitative Direct C2‐Arylation of Free (NH)‐Indoles with Arylsulfinic Acids

The rapid and efficient direct C2‐arylation of free (NH)‐indoles with arylsulfinic acids proceeded through a microwave‐accelerated palladium‐catalyzed desulfitation reaction. By using PdCl₂ as a catalyst, silver acetate as an oxidant, and H₂SO₄ as an additive, arylsulfinic acids with both electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups underwent desulfitative coupling with an array of free (NH)‐indoles, thereby selectively providing C2‐arylindoles in good yields.     

Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed C−H Activation of Imidamides and Divergent Couplings with Diazo Compounds: Substrate‐Controlled Synthesis of Indoles and 3H‐Indoles

Indoles are an important structural motif that is commonly found in biologically active molecules. In this work, conditions for divergent couplings between imidamides and acceptor–acceptor diazo compounds were developed that afforded NH indoles and 3H‐indoles under ruthenium catalysis. The coupling of α‐diazoketoesters afforded NH indoles by cleavage of the C(N₂)?C(acyl) bond whereas α‐diazomalonates gave 3H‐indoles by C?N bond cleavage. This reaction constitutes the first intermolecular coupling of diazo substrates with arenes by ruthenium‐catalyzed C?H activation.     

One‐step ring‐closure procedure for 4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazino[5,4‐b]indole derivatives with Lawesson's reagent. The fifth dihydro‐1,3‐thiazino[b]indole isomer

We report a convenient approach for the synthesis of a new ring system: 4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazino[5,4‐b]indoles. The procedure involves the use of Lawesson's reagent in the presence of silica to achieve the one‐step ring‐closure reactions of 2‐benzoylamino‐3‐hydroxymethylindole intermediates to furnish 4,5‐dihydro‐2‐aryl‐1,3‐thiazino[5,4‐b]indoles. 2‐Phenylimino‐1,3‐thiazino[5,4‐b]indoles were obtained via the corresponding 3‐phenylthiourea‐2‐carboxylic acid ester derivatives by chemoselective reduction of the ester group, followed by ring closure under acidic conditions. The structures of the novel products were elucidated by IR, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, including 2D‐HMQC, 2D‐HMBC, and DEPT measurements. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis of Substituted Benzo[b]thiophenes and Their Hetero‐Fused Analogues through Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative CH Functionalization/Intramolecular Arylthiolation

An efficient, high yielding route to multisubstituted benzo[b]thiophenes has been developed through palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular oxidative C?H functionalization–arylthiolation of enethiolate salts of α‐aryl‐β‐(het)aryl/alkyl‐β‐mercaptoacrylonitriles/acrylates or acrylophenones. The overall strategy involves a one‐pot, two‐step process in which enethiolate salts [generated in situ through base‐mediated condensation of substituted arylacetonitriles, deoxybenzoins, or arylacetates with (het)aryl (or alkyl) dithioates] are subjected to intramolecular C?H functionalization–arylthiolation under the influence of a palladium acetate (or palladium chloride)/cupric acetate catalytic system and tetrabutylammonium bromide as additive in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent. In a few cases, the yields of benzo[b]thiophenes were better in a two‐step process by employing the corresponding enethiols as substrates. In a few examples, Pd(OAc)₂ (or PdCl₂) catalyst in the presence of oxygen was found to be more efficient than cupric acetate as reoxidant, furnishing benzothiophenes in improved yields by avoiding formation of side products. The method is compatible with a diverse range of substituents on the aryl ring as well as on the 2‐ and 3‐positions of the benzothiophene scaffold. The protocol could also be extended to the synthesis of a raloxifene precursor and a tubulin polymerization inhibitor in good yields. The versatility of this newly developed method was further demonstrated by elaborating it for the synthesis of substituted thieno‐fused heterocycles such as thieno[2,3‐b]thiophenes, thieno[2,3‐b]indoles, thieno[3,2‐c]pyrazole, and thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines in high yields. A probable mechanism involving intramolecular electrophilic arylthiolation via either a Pd‐S adduct or palladacycle intermediate has been proposed on the basis of experimental studies.     

An efficient synthesis of N-substituted indoles from indoline/indoline carboxylic acid via aromatization followed by C–N cross-coupling reaction by using nano copper oxide as a recyclable catalyst

A new and elegant protocol for the synthesis of 1-substituted indoles was developed via aromatization of indoline/indoline carboxylic acid followed by C–N cross-coupling with various aryl halides in the presence of nano CuO as a recyclable catalyst, Cs₂CO₃ as a base in DMSO at 80 °C. 1-Substituted indoles were obtained in good to excellent yields and the catalytic system can be recycled up to four cycles without loss of catalytic activity.     

One‐Pot Sequential Propargylation/Cycloisomerization: A Facile [4+2]‐Benzannulation Approach to Carbazoles

A novel one‐pot [4+2]‐benzannulation approach to substituted carbazoles is accomplished by acid‐catalyzed C3‐propargylation of 2‐alkenyl/aryl indoles with 1‐aryl propargylic alcohols, followed by cycloisomerization. A variety of 2‐alkenylated indoles and 2‐aryl/heteroaryl indoles successfully participated in this tandem reaction with 1‐aryl/heteroaryl propargylic alcohols to provide diversely substituted and annulated carbazoles, as well as an aza[5]helicene.     

Acyl‐Directed ortho‐Borylation of Anilines and C7 Borylation of Indoles using just BBr3

Indoles are privileged heterocycles found in many biologically active pharmaceuticals and natural products. However, the selective functionalization of the benzenoid moiety in indoles in preference to the more reactive pyrrolic unit is a significant challenge. Herein we report that N‐acyl directing groups enable the C7‐selective C?H borylation of indoles using just BBr₃. This transformation shows some functional‐group tolerance and notably proceeds with C6 substituted indoles. The directing group can be readily removed in situ and the products isolated as the pinacol boronate esters. Acyl‐directed electrophilic borylation can be extended to carbazoles and anilines with excellent ortho selectivity. 4‐amino‐indoles are amenable to this process, with acyl group installation and directed electrophilic C?H borylation enabling selective formation of C5‐BPin‐indoles.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed C−H Nitration of Indoles by Employing a Removable Directing Group

A mild and efficient C(sp²)?H nitration of 3‐substituted indoles, by using the economical and non‐toxic cobalt nitrate hexahydrate [Co(NO₃)₂ ? 6 H₂O] as a catalyst and tert‐butyl nitrite (TBN) as the nitro source, is reported. This approach provides a unique methodology involving a site‐selective C?N bond formation for preparation of C‐2 substituted nitro indoles. Utilization of the tBoc as the removable directing group enhances the synthetic utility of the method.     

An efficient,mild and selective Ullmann‐type N‐arylation of indoles catalysed by Pd immobilized on amidoxime‐functionalized mesoporous SBA‐15 as heterogeneous and recyclable nanocatalyst

A wide range of N‐arylated indoles were selectively synthesized through intermolecular C(aryl)? N bond formation from the corresponding aryl iodides and indoles through Ullmann‐type coupling reactions in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd immobilized on amidoxime‐functionalized mesoporous SBA‐15 (SBA‐15/AO/Pd(0)) under mild reaction conditions. These cross‐coupled products were obtained in excellent yields under mild conditions at extremely low palladium loading (ca 0.3 mol%), and the heterogeneous catalyst can be readily recovered by simple filtration and reused seven times with loss in its activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

3-(o-Trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic esters: common intermediates for the palladium-catalyzed synthesis of 2-aminomethyl-, 2-vinylic, and 2-alkylindoles

3-(o-Trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic esters have been used as common synthetic intermediates for the preparation of a variety of 3-unsubstituted 2-substituted indoles. Treating ethyl 3-(o-trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic carbonates unsubstituted or containing an aryl substituent at the propargylic carbon with piperazines and Pd(PPh₃)₄ in THF at 80 °C affords 2-(piperazin-1-ylmethyl)indoles in excellent yields. Good to excellent yields of 2-aminomethylindoles are also obtained with other secondary amines. Ethyl 3-(o-trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic carbonates bearing an alkyl substituent at the propargylic carbon and ethyl 3-(o-trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic acetates disubstituted at the propargylic carbon give 2-vinylic indoles with the Pd(OAc)₂/PPh₃ combination and Et₃N in THF at 80 °C. Formation of 2-vinylic indoles is quite stereoselective, generating trans vinylic derivatives, at least with the substrates that we have investigated. In the presence of formic acid, Et₃N, and Pd(PPh₃)₄ in MeCN at 80 °C, ethyl 3-(o-trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic carbonates afford 2-alkylindoles in good to excellent yields.     

Indoles from Alkynes and Aryl Azides: Scope and Theoretical Assessment of Ruthenium Porphyrin-Catalyzed Reactions

A symbiotic experimental/computational study analyzed the Ru(TPP)(NAr)₂-catalyzed one-pot formation of indoles from alkynes and aryl azides. Thirty different C₃-substituted indoles were synthesized and the best performance, in term of yields and regioselectivities, was observed when reacting ArC≡CH alkynes with 3,5-(EWG)₂C₆H₃N₃ azides, whereas the reaction was less efficient when using electron-rich aryl azides. A DFT analysis describes the reaction mechanism in terms of the energy costs and orbital/electronic evolutions; the limited reactivity of electron-rich azides was also justified. In summary, PhC≡CH alkyne interacts with one NAr imido ligand of Ru(TPP)(NAr)₂ to give a residually dangling C(Ph) group, which, by coupling with a C(H) unit of the N-aryl substituent, forms a 5+6 bicyclic molecule. In the process, two subsequent spin changes allow inverting the conformation of the sp² C(Ph) atom and its consequent electrophilic-like attack to the aromatic ring. The bicycle isomerizes to indole via a two-step outer sphere H-migration. Eventually, a ′Ru(TPP)(NAr)′ mono-imido active catalyst is reformed after each azide/alkyne reaction.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3‐Indolyl Methanamines Using Unprotected Indoles and N‐Boc Imines under Basic Conditions

A chiral imidazolidine‐containing NCN/Pd‐OTf catalyst ( C4 ) promoted the nucleophilic addition of unprotected indoles to N‐Boc imines. Using sulfinyl amines as the N‐Boc imine precursors, the combined use of C4 with K₂CO₃ activated the NH indoles to give chiral 3‐indolyl methanamines with up to 98 % ee. Compared with conventional acid‐catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reactions, this reaction proceeds under mildly basic conditions and is advantageous for the use of acid‐sensitive substrates.     

Highly efficient orthopalladated complexes of second and third benzyl amine for catalyzing the Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction

In this work, ortho‐palladated complexes [Pd(µ‐Cl)(C₆H₄CH₂ NRR′‐κ²‐C,N)]₂ and [Pd(C₆H₄CH₂NH₂‐2‐C,N)Cl(Y)] were tested in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction. Cyclopalladated Pd(II) complexes as thermally stable catalysts can activate aryl bromides and chlorides. These complexes were active and efficient catalysts for the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of aryl bromides and even less reactive aryl chlorides. The cross‐coupled products of a variety of aryl bromides and aryl chloride with phenylboronic acid in methanol as solvent at 60 °C were produced in excellent yields. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.