Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Rearrangement of 3‐Silyloxy‐1,5‐enynes: An Efficient Synthesis of Benzo[b]thiophenes,Dibenzothiophenes, Dibenzofurans,and Indole Derivatives

With the IPr ligand (IPr=1,3‐bis‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene) on gold(I) excellent yields in the benzanellation of 2‐substituted thiophenes, benzothiophenes, pyrroles, benzofurans, and indoles were achieved. The 1‐siloxybut‐3‐ynyl side chains, incorporated in the anellation, are easily accessible by the addition of a propargyl metal reagent to a formyl group and silylation of the alcohol. This conveniently allows an anellation at the position of the formyl group under mild conditions. All reactions involve a 2,3‐shift of the side chain in the anellation step and thus, provide an easy access to specific substitution patterns. Only in the case of 2‐substituted indoles with their highly nucleophilic 3‐position a direct hydroarylation without shift is observed. On the other hand, 3‐substituted indoles give the same products as 2‐substituted indoles. Then, a 3,2‐shift in the indole ring system has to be involved.     

Donor-acceptor stabilized silaformyl chloride

Formyl chloride (H(Cl)C=O) is unstable at room temperature and decomposes to HCl and CO. Silicon analogue of formyl chloride, silaformyl chloride IPr·SiH(Cl)=O·B(C(6)F(5))(3) (3) (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), was stabilized by Lewis donor-acceptor ligands. Compound 3 is not only the first stable acyclic silacarbonyl compound but also the first silacarbonyl halide reported so far.     

Amination reactions of aryl halides with nitrogen-containing reagents mediated by palladium/imidazolium salt systems.

Nucleophilic N-heterocyclic carbenes have been conveniently used as catalyst modifiers in amination reactions involving aryl chlorides, aryl bromides, and aryl iodides with various nitrogen-containing substrates. The scope of a coupling process using a Pd(0) or Pd(II) source and an imidazolium salt in the presence of a base, KO(t)Bu or NaOH, was tested using various substrates. The Pd(2)(dba)(3)/IPr.HCl (1, IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) system presents the highest activity with respect to electron-neutral and electron-rich aryl chlorides. The ligand is also effective for the synthesis of benzophenone imines, which can be easily converted to the corresponding primary amines by acid hydrolysis. Less reactive indoles were converted to N-aryl-substituted indoles using as supporting ligand the more donating SIPr.HCl (5, SIPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene). The Pd(OAc)(2)/SIPr.HCl/NaOH system is efficient for the N-arylation of diverse indoles with aryl bromides. The general protocol developed has been applied successfully to the synthesis of a key intermediate in the synthesis of an important new antibiotic. Mechanistically, palladium-to-ligand ratio studies strongly support an active species bearing one nucleophilic carbene ligand.     

A facile preparation of 2-(2-arylethyl)- and 2-(aminomethyl)indoles

An important process for the acid catalyzed cleavage of the benzoyl group from 3-benzoylindoles in high yield is identified and its application for the facile syntheses of 2-substituted indoles is demonstrated by preparing some 2-(2-arylethyl)- and 2-(aminomethyl)indoles from 1,3-dibenzoyl-2-bromomethylindole (7).     

A new entry to the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted indoles

[reaction: see text] The Stille coupling of N-acyl-2-iodoanilines with the 1-(tributylstannyl)-1-substituted allenes affected the successive one-step formation of the 2-methyl-3-substituted indoles. Alternatively, the other type of 2-alkyl-3-substituted indoles could be synthesized in a one-pot operation, which consists of the Stille coupling reaction with the 1-(tributylstannyl)-1,3-disubstituted allenes, followed by TBAF treatment. This procedure could be applied to the synthesis of indomethacin.     

Migration 1,2 d''un groupe triméthylsilyle au niveau d''un cation vinylique: synthèse de diènes conjugués silylés à partir de bis(triméthylsilyl)-1,4 alcynes-2

Alkyl -substituted 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-2-alkynes react with electrophilic reagents to give silylated conjugated dienes, which result from a 1,2-shift of a trimethylsilyl group to a vinylic cationic center.     

Bromination of 2, 3-dimethylindole

In bromination of indoles, the bromine atom will most probably enter at position 2 or 3. For example, indole and 2-methylindole [1] brominate at position 3, while some 3-substituted indoles [2] brominate at position 2. In the case of 2, 3-dimethylindole it was shown [3], that bromine does not enter the benzene ring, as would have been expected, but adds to the active 2, 3 (double) bond of the indole.     

Efficient synthesis of 3-substituted indoles through a domino gold(I) chloride catalyzed cycloisomerization/C3-functionalization of 2-(alkynyl)anilines

An efficient synthesis of 3-substituted indoles by a sequential approach involving gold(I) chloride catalyzed cycloisomerization/bis-addition and conjugate addition of 2-(alkynyl)anilines has been accomplished. A variety of 2-(alkynyl)anilines, aldehydes, isatins and nitroolefins undergo this overall process in good to excellent yields. This methodology represents an effective alternative to the classical C3-functionalization of indoles.     

Chemoselective functionalization of α-carbolines at the C-2, C-3, C-4, and C-6 positions using Suzuki-Miyaura reactions

The synthesis of 2-, 3-, 4-, and 6-substituted pyrido[2,3-b]indoles (α-carbolines) by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions from the corresponding halopyrido[2,3-b]indoles is described. A sequential and a one-pot chemoselective double Suzuki-Miyaura coupling route is presented for the synthesis of symmetrically and unsymmetrically disubstituted pyrido[2,3-b]indoles.     

Ligand-controlled regioselectivity in the hydrothiolation of alkynes by rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts

Rh-N-heterocyclic carbene compounds [Rh(μ-Cl)(IPr)(η(2)-olefin)](2) and RhCl(IPr)(py)(η(2)-olefin) (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-carbene, py = pyridine, olefin = cyclooctene or ethylene) are highly active catalysts for alkyne hydrothiolation under mild conditions. A regioselectivity switch from linear to 1-substituted vinyl sulfides was observed when mononuclear RhCl(IPr)(py)(η(2)-olefin) catalysts were used instead of dinuclear precursors. A complex interplay between electronic and steric effects exerted by IPr, pyridine, and hydride ligands accounts for the observed regioselectivity. Both IPr and pyridine ligands stabilize formation of square-pyramidal thiolate-hydride active species in which the encumbered and powerful electron-donor IPr ligand directs coordination of pyridine trans to it, consequently blocking access of the incoming alkyne in this position. Simultaneously, the higher trans director hydride ligand paves the way to a cis thiolate-alkyne disposition, favoring formation of 2,2-disubstituted metal-alkenyl species and subsequently the Markovnikov vinyl sulfides via alkenyl-hydride reductive elimination. DFT calculations support a plausible reaction pathway where migratory insertion of the alkyne into the rhodium-thiolate bond is the rate-determining step.     

New Synthesis of 1-Substituted 3-(2-Aminoethyl)indoles

A number of 1-substituted 3-(2-aminoethyl) indoles were prepared, in one step, by alkylation of the corresponding 3-(2-aminoethyl)indoles (tryptamines) in the presence of NaH.     

2-Trifluoroacetyl aminoindoles as useful intermediates for the preparation of 2-acylamino indoles

A three-step method was developed to convert N-1 unprotected 3-substituted indoles to 3-substituted 2-acylaminoindoles. Established indole chlorination chemistry was employed to generate stable 2-trifluoroacetylamino indoles, which were subsequently deprotected and selectively acylated.     

Acid-Catalyzed Rearrangements of 5,6-exo-Epoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl Derivatives. Migratory Aptitudes of Acyl vs. Alkyl Groups in Wagner-Meerwein Transpositions

In the presence of HSO₃F/Ac₂O in CH₂CL₂, 2-exo- and 2-endo-cyano-5,6-exo-epoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl acetates ( 6a , b ) gave products derived from the epoxide-ring opening and a 1,2-shift of the unsubstituted alkyl group (σ bond C(3)–C(4)). In contrast, under similar conditions, the 5,6-exo-epoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ( 6c ) gave 5-oxo-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-3,7-diyl diacetates 20 and 21 arising from the 1,2-shift of the acyl group. Acid treatment of 5,6-exo-epoxy-2,2-dimethoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 6d ) and of 5,6-exo-epoxy-2,2-bis(benzyloxy)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 6e ) gave minor products arising from epoxide-ring opening and the 1,2-shift of σ bond C(3)–C(4) and major products ( 25 , 29 ) arising from the 1,3-shift of a methoxy and benzyloxy group, respectively. Under similar conditions, 5,6-exo-epoxy-2,2-ethylenedioxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 6f ) gave 1,1-(ethylenedioxy)-2-(2-furyl)ethyl acetate ( 32 , major) and a minor product 33 , arising from the 1,2-shift of σ bond C(3)–C(4). The following order of migratory aptitudes for 1,2-shifts toward electron-deficient centers has been established: acyl > alkyl > alkyl α-substituted with inductive electron-withdrawing groups. This order is valid for competitive Wagner-Meerwein rearrangements involving equilibria between carbocation intermediates with similar exothermicities.     

Synthesis and herbicidal properties of 3-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidinyliminomethyl)indoles

The reaction of 1-substituted 2-chloroindole-3-carboxaldehydes with 1-amino-2-imidazolidinone gave a series of 1-substituted 2-chloro-3-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidinyliminomethyl)indoles which were evaluated as potential herbicides. The level of biological activity was not sufficient to warrant further investigation.     

Pd-catalyzed tandem C-N/C-C coupling of gem-dihalovinyl systems: a modular synthesis of 2-substituted indoles

2-substituted indoles were synthesized via a Pd-catalyzed tandem C-N/Suzuki-Miyaura coupling from readily prepared ortho-gem-dihalovinylanilines. Optimal conditions used a Pd(OAc)(2)/S-Phos catalyst in the presence of K(3)PO(4).H(2)O and an organoboron reagent, which included boronic acids, esters, alkyl 9-BBN derivatives, and trialkylboranes. Yields of the desired indoles were good to excellent using low catalyst loadings (typically 1 mol %). [reaction: see text]     

Indole synthesis by radical cyclization of o-alkenylphenyl isocyanides and its application to the total synthesis of natural products

Development of indole synthesis by tin-mediated radical cyclization of o-alkenylphenyl isocyanide is described. Upon heating o-alkenylphenyl isocyanide in the presence of tri-n-butyltin hydride and AIBN, 2-stannyl-3-substituted indole was formed via 5-exo-trig cyclization of the imidoyl radical intermediate. After acidic workup, 3-substituted indoles were isolated. For substrates bearing simple alkyl groups, a substantial amount of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives were generated through 6-endo-trig cyclization. This undesired cyclization was suppressed by using an excess amount (five equivalents based on o-alkenylphenyl isocyanide) of ethanethiol instead of tri-n-butyltin hydride. The 2-stannylindole intermediates proved to be a suitable substrate for Stille coupling, giving 2,3-disubstituted indoles in a one-pot procedure. In addition, the 2-stannylindole intermediates could be converted to 2-iodoindoles by treatment with iodine or N-iodosuccinimide. The 2-iodoindoles thus obtained served as good substrates for Heck reactions, Stille couplings, Suzuki couplings, and palladium-mediated carbonylations, to afford a variety of 2,3-disubstituted indoles. The utility of this protocol was demonstrated by application to synthetic studies on gelsemine and discorhabdin A, and the total synthesis of an aspidosperma alkaloid, (-)-vindoline.     

Palladium/Norbornene-Catalyzed Direct Vicinal Di-Carbo-Functionalization of Indoles: Reaction Development and Mechanistic Study

Methods that can simultaneously install multiple different functional groups to heteroarenes via C−H functionalizations are valuable for complex molecule synthesis, which, however, remain challenging to realize. Here we report the development of vicinal di-carbo-functionalization of indoles in a site- and regioselective manner, enabled by the palladium/norbornene (Pd/NBE) cooperative catalysis. The reaction is initiated by the Pd(II)-mediated C3-metalation and specifically promoted by the C1-substituted NBEs. The mild, scalable, and robust reaction conditions allow for a good substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. The resulting C2-arylated C3-alkenylated indoles can be converted to diverse synthetically useful scaffolds. The combined experimental and computational mechanistic study reveals the unique role of the C1-substituted NBE in accelerating the turnover-limiting oxidative addition step.     

Synthesis of carbazoles via an intramolecular cyclization of 2-(6-substituted 3(Z)-hexen-1,5-diynyl)anilines and their related molecules

Various 2-(6-substituted 3(Z)-hexen-1,5-diynyl)anilines 1a-g were treated with potassium tert-butoxide or potassium 3-ethylpentanoxide in NMP at 60 degrees C for 2 h to give the corresponding 5-substituted carbazoles 2a-g in 36-65% yields together with indoles 9a-g in 21-40% yields, respectively. Exposing the trifluoroacetamide analogues 10h-k under the same reaction conditions gave the carbazoles 2b-e in 37-57% yields and indoles 9b-e in 15-27% yields. Subsequent cyclizations of acetamide analogues 10a-g gave carbazoles 2a-g in 53-86% yields.     

A new synthesis of 3-arylthioindoles as selective COX-2 inhibitors using PIFA

The direct 3-arylthiolation of 2-substituted indoles using phenyliodine(III)bis trifluoroacetate (PIFA) in (CF₃)₂CHOH with a wide variety of benzenethiols has been accomplished. In particular, indoles bearing a 6-MeSO₂ and either a 2-methyl or 2-carboxymethyl substituent could be 3-arylthiolated in good to excellent yields to afford the corresponding 3-arylthioindoles as selective COX-2 inhibitors. In a study varying the electronic nature of the 5-substituent of 2-CO₂Et indoles, it was discovered that the yield of the reaction improved as the substituent became more electron withdrawing. This result was consistent with a proposed mechanism involving benzenethiol displacement of an intermediate 3-IPh indole complex.     

Carboxylic acid catalyzed three-component aza-Friedel-Crafts reactions in water for the synthesis of 3-substituted indoles

[reaction: see text] The carboxylic acid catalyzed three-component aza-Friedel-Crafts reactions of aldehydes, primary amines, and indoles in water have been developed. The aza-Friedel-Crafts products could be easily transformed to various 3-substituted indoles including biologically active compounds. This system offers a novel efficient method for the synthesis of 3-substituted indoles.