Formal oxo- and aza-[3 + 2] reactions of α-enaminones and quinones: a double divergent process and the roles of chiral phosphoric acid and molecular sieves

A double divergent process has been developed for the reaction of α-enaminones with quinones through facile manipulation of catalyst and additive, leading to structurally completely different products. The two divergent processes, which involve formal aza- and oxo-[3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, are mediated by chiral phosphoric acid and molecular sieves, respectively. While inclusion of phosphoric acid in the reaction switched the reaction pathway to favor the efficient formation of a wide range of N-substituted indoles, addition of 4 Å molecular sieves to the reaction switched the reaction pathway again, leading to enantioselective synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans in excellent yields and enantioselectivities under mild conditions. Studies in this work suggest that the chiral phosphoric acid acts to lower the transition state energy and promote the formation of amide intermediate for the formal aza-[3 + 2] cycloaddition and the molecular sieves serve to facilitate proton transfer for oxo-[3 + 2] cycloaddition. The reactivity of α-enaminones is also disclosed in this work.

A double divergent process for [3 + 2] cycloadditions of α-enaminones with quinones led to the formation of N-substituted indoles and 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans.     

I2/PhI(OAc)2-assisted oxidative CH amination protocols toward metal-free pragmatic synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-b]indoles

We report herein an I₂/PhI(OAc)₂ catalytic system for the pragmatic construction of CN bonds through CH/NH oxidative coupling protocol. Divergent pyrrolo[2,3-b]indoles were efficiently prepared via I₂-catalyzed intramolecular C–H amination reactions from (E/Z)-2-indolylenamines under metal-free conditions. Various functional groups are tolerated under mild reaction conditions and the resulting pyrrolo[2,3-b]indoles were obtained with mostly good to excellent yields. It was interesting to observe that both the (E)- and (Z)-isomers of the starting materials were efficiently transformed into the targeted product. The I⁺-mediated catalytic cycle was proposed based on mechanistic studies for this reaction.     

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of macrodiolides and their application in chiral recognition

New types of C₂-symmetric chiral macrodiolides are readily obtained via chiral N,N′-dioxide-scandium(iii) complex-promoted asymmetric tandem Friedel–Crafts alkylation/intermolecular macrolactonization of ortho-quinone methides with C3-substituted indoles. This protocol provides an array of enantioenriched macrodiolides with 16, 18 or 20-membered rings in moderate to good yields with high diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities through adjusting the length of the tether at the C3 position of indoles. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the formation of macrocycles is more favorable than that of 9-membered-ring lactones in terms of kinetics and thermodynamics. The potential utility of these intriguing chiral macrodiolide molecules is demonstrated in the enantiomeric recognition of aminols and chemical recognition of metal ions.

An asymmetric tandem Friedel–Crafts alkylation/intermolecular macrolactonization of ortho-quinone methides with C3-substituted indoles was achieved by using a chiral N,N′-dioxide-scandium(iii) complex.     

Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of indole-2-carboxaldehyde: new vistas for indole-annulated systems

DABCO-mediated Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions of several 1-substituted-indole-2-carboxaldehydes are disclosed. It was discovered that carboethoxy or tert-butoxycarbonyl groups installed at N-1 undergo cleavage under the reaction conditions to afford 2-substituted indoles. Utility of the N-substituted adducts for preparing a variety of annulated indoles has been exemplified.     

One-pot synthesis of 2-substituted thieno[3,2-b]indoles from 3-aminothiophene-2-carboxylates through in situ generated 3-aminothiophenes

A convenient protocol for one-pot synthesis of thieno[3,2-b]indoles, bearing aromatic, thien-2-yl or styryl fragments at C-2 position, from easily accessible 5-substituted 3-aminothiophene-2-carboxylates using the Fischer indolization reaction, was developed during this study. Two main steps of this approach are the saponification of the starting 3-aminoesters with sodium hydroxide and next treatment of the crude 3-aminoacids sodium salts with arylhydrazines in glacial acetic acid solution. The latter step includes in situ decarboxylation of the freed 3-aminothiophene-2-caboxylic acids to the 3-aminothiophenes and their acid promoted reaction with arylhydrazines to initially form arylhydrazones of 5-substituted thiophene-3(2H)-ones, which smoothly cause indolization to afford the desired thieno[3,2-b]indoles.     

Regioselective N- and C2-electrophilic substitution of 3-substituted indoles

The reaction of 3-substituted indoles with 2-cyclohexenone under Lewis acid mediated conditions with Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O has been investigated. We have demonstrated that electrophilic substitution of 3-substituted indoles with 2-cyclohexenone will readily occur at the nitrogen. Furthermore, the extent of regioselectivity is dependent on reaction solvent and the C3-substituent. Excellent conversion is obtained with good to excellent isolated yields of N- and C2-adducts. In general, more polar, aprotic solvents (CH₃CN) give greater N-selectivity whereas with polar protic solvents (CH₃OH) an increase in the C2-adduct is observed.     

A convenient synthesis of 2-substituted indoles by the reaction of 2-(chloromethyl)phenyl isocyanides with organolithiums

The reaction of 2-(chloromethyl)phenyl isocyanides, readily available by dehydration of the respective N-[2-(chloromethyl)phenyl]formamides, with organolithiums produced 2-substituted indoles in satisfactory yields through addition of organolithiums to the isocyano carbon followed by intramolecular substitution reaction of the resulting imidoyl anion intermediates.     

Synthesis of 2-substituted indoles by palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation with Pd-NaY zeolite catalysts

Various 2-substituted indoles were prepared by heteroannulation of o-iodoanilines and terminal alkynes in a one-pot reaction with a Pd(II)-NaY zeolite catalyst. The product formation largely depended on the solvent, base, and reaction temperature. The recycled catalyst showed good reusability in the heteroannulation reaction.     

Fe-catalyzed Fukuyama-type indole synthesis triggered by hydrogen atom transfer

Fe, Co, and Mn hydride-initiated radical olefin additions have enjoyed great success in modern synthesis, yet the extension of other hydrogen radicalophiles instead of olefins remains largely elusive. Herein, we report an efficient Fe-catalyzed intramolecular isonitrile–olefin coupling reaction delivering 3-substituted indoles, in which isonitrile was firstly applied as the hydrogen atom acceptor in the radical generation step by MHAT. The protocol features low catalyst loading, mild reaction conditions, and excellent functional group tolerance.

A mild and efficient method has been developed to synthesize 3-substituted indoles via an Fe-catalyzed radical isonitrile–olefin coupling reaction initiated by MHAT to isonitriles.     

An efficient, microwave-assisted, one-pot synthesis of indoles under Sonogashira conditions

A microwave-assisted, one-pot, three-component coupling reaction for the synthesis of indoles has been developed. The reaction is carried out in two steps under standard Sonogashira coupling conditions from an N-substituted/N,N-disubstituted 2-iodoaniline and a terminal alkyne, followed by the addition of acetonitrile and an aryl iodide. A variety of polysubstituted indoles have been prepared in moderate to excellent yields using the present method.     

Efficient synthesis of substituted thieno[3,2-e]indoles

Efficient cyclization reactions of 5-aminobenzothiophene derivatives with internal and terminal acetylenes, giving 7- and 8-substituted thieno[3,2-e]indoles, are described. The reaction of 4-iodo-5-(methylsulfonamido)benzothiophene with terminal alkynes gave 7-substituted thienoindoles using general Sonogashira reaction conditions. Reaction of 5-amino-4-iodobenzothiophene with internal acetylenes, using Larock's heterocyclization reaction conditions, gave 7,8-disubstituted thieno[3,2-e]indoles.     

l-Proline catalyzed domino Michael addition of N-substituted anilines

Here we report l-proline catalyzed 3-component reaction of indoles, aldehydes and N-substituted anilines in water as solvent at room temperature for the synthesis of 3-(α,α-diarylmethyl)indoles. The reaction is in fact a Michael addition of N-substituted anilines to alkylideneindolenines. The reaction is very clean, high yielding and having broad substrate scope. A tentative mechanism is proposed.     

Novel synthesis of 2-aryl and 2,3-disubstituted indoles by modified double elimination protocol

[reaction: see text] Syntheses of 2-aryl and 2,3-substituted indoles were realized by modified double elimination protocol. Under basic conditions, vinyl sulfones derived from the reaction of 2-aminobenzyl sulfone with benzaldehydes underwent cyclization and alkylation followed by elimination of sulfinic acid to afford 2,3-substituted indoles.     

C4-arylation and domino C4-arylation/3,2-carbonyl migration of indoles by tuning Pd catalytic modes: Pd(i)–Pd(ii) catalysis vs. Pd(ii) catalysis

Efficient C4-arylation and domino C4-arylation/3,2-carbonyl migration of indoles have been developed. The former route enables C4-arylation in a highly efficient and mild manner and the latter route provides an alternative straightforward protocol for synthesis of C2/C4 disubstituted indoles. The mechanism studies imply that the different reaction pathways were tuned by the distinct acid additives, which led to either the Pd(i)–Pd(ii) pathway or Pd(ii) catalysis.

C4-arylation via Pd(i)–Pd(ii) catalysis and domino C4-arylation/3,2-carbonyl migration of indoles via Pd(ii) catalysis tuning by acids have been developed.     

ZnCl2 and Pd/C catalyzed synthesis of 2-substituted indoles

A facile, mild, efficient, and copper-free method has been developed for the synthesis of 2-substituted indoles via domino Sonogashira coupling/cyclization reaction catalyzed by ZnCl₂ and palladium on carbon with simultaneous formations of C–C and C–N bonds.     

Benzylic C(sp3)–C(sp2) cross-coupling of indoles enabled by oxidative radical generation and nickel catalysis

A mechanistically unique functionalization strategy for a benzylic C(sp³)–H bond has been developed based on the facile oxidation event of indole substrates. This novel pathway was initiated by efficient radical generation at the benzylic position of the substrate, with subsequent transition metal catalysis to complete the overall transformation. Ultimately, an aryl or an acyl group could be effectively delivered from an aryl (pseudo)halide or an acid anhydride coupling partner, respectively. The developed method utilizes mild conditions and exhibits a wide substrate scope for both substituted indoles and C(sp²)-based reaction counterparts. Mechanistic studies have shown that competitive hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) processes, which are frequently encountered in conventional methods, are not involved in the product formation process of the developed strategy.

A mechanistically distinct Ni-catalysed benzylic functionalization of indoles is developed by the facile oxidation of arenes. The method exhibits a wide substrate scope and pronounced chemoselectivity that cannot be accessed via known protocols.     

TfOH catalyzed synthesis of 1-substituted tetrahydrocarbazoles

Synthesis of 1-substituted tetrahydrocarbazole is accomplished by TfOH catalyzed reaction of 3-substituted indoles tethered with secondary and tertiary alcohols. The reaction was generalized for a variety of substrates and was extended to the synthesis of 2,3,3a,6-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,2,1-jk]carbazole and carbazoles.     

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.     

Synthesis of highly N-substituted indole library via conjugate additions of indoline and their synthetic tool potentials

A comprehensive library of N- or 1-substituted indoles was formed by conjugate additions of indoline with Michael acceptors followed by an oxidation step. Using N-substituted indoles as key Michael donors, the synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted indoles was also accomplished.     

Visible-light-induced indole synthesis via intramolecular C–N bond formation: desulfonylative C(sp2)–H functionalization

Despite significant advances made on the synthesis of indole derivatives through photochemical strategies during the past several years, the requirement of equivalent amounts of oxidants, bases or other additional additives has limited their practical applications in the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceuticals as environment-friendly processes. Herein, we report LED visible-light-induced redox neutral desulfonylative C(sp²)–H functionalization for the synthesis of N-substituted indoles with a broad scope through γ-fragmentation under mild conditions in the absence of any additional additive. The reaction mechanism paradigm has been investigated on the basis of deuterium labeling experiments, kinetic analysis, Hammett plotting analysis and DFT calculations.

LED visible-light-induced redox neutral desulfonylative C(sp²)–H functionalization for the synthesis of N-substituted indoles in the absence of any additional additive has been established on the basis of KIE, Hammett plotting and DFT calculations.