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.     

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.     

Rhodium-Catalyzed Chemodivergent Regio- and Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of Indoles

The control of C3/N1 chemoselectivity in indole alkylation with the same electrophiles is still challenging. An Rh/bisoxazolinephosphane-catalyzed chemodivergent regio- and enantioselective allylic alkylation of indoles was developed. Chiral C3- and N1-allylindoles can be selectively obtained with high branched/linear ratio and up to 99 % ee by changing the counteranion of Rh, the allylic carbonate, the reaction temperature, and the ligand.     

3-(2-Alken-1-one-2-yl)indoles through the palladium-catalyzed reaction of 2-alkynyltrifluoroacetanilides with cyclic α-iodoenones

α-Iodoenones can be efficiently employed as organic electrophiles in the Pd-catalyzed synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted indoles from 2-alkynyltrifluoroacetanilides. Best results were obtained using the weak ligand As(Ph)₃. The methodology reported provides an efficient entry to indoles bearing a 2-alkenon-2-yl moiety linked in the 3-position, that possesses a scarcely reported substitution pattern.     

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.     

First heterogeneously palladium-catalysed fully selective C3-arylation of free NH-indoles

A simple heterogeneously palladium-catalysed procedure for the selective C3-arylation of indoles is reported. Under relatively standard reaction conditions (Pd-catalyst, K₂CO₃, dioxane, reflux), using only 1 mol % [Pd(NH₃)₄]/NaY as the catalyst, indoles substituted or not at position 2 gave up to 92% conversion (i.e., 85% isolated yield) towards the expected C3-arylated indole.     

Diastereoselective Ruthenium-Catalyzed Michael Addition of Indoles to Hormone Steroids: An Efficient Route to New Indole Derivatives

Diastereoselective conjugate 1,4-addition of indoles to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds (hormone steroids) using Ru(III) as catalyst is reported. It was found that RuCl₃·nH₂O catalyzes the Michael addition of indoles to hormone steroids, providing new 3-alkylated derivatives in good to excellent yields.     

Co-Catalyzed Metal-Ligand Cooperative Approach for N-alkylation of Amines and Synthesis of Quinolines via Dehydrogenative Alcohol Functionalization

Herein we report a cobalt-catalyzed sustainable approach for C−N cross-coupling reaction between amines and alcohols. Using a well-defined Co-catalyst 1 a bearing 2-(phenyldiazenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline ligand, various N-alkylated amines were synthesized in good yields. 1 a efficiently alkylates diamines producing N, N′-dialkylated amines in good yields and showed excellent chemoselectivity when oleyl alcohol and β-citronellol, containing internal carbon-carbon double bond were used as alkylating agents. 1 a is equally compatible with synthesizing N-heterocycles via dehydrogenative coupling of amines and alcohols. 1H-Indole was synthesized via an intramolecular dehydrogenative N-alkylation reaction, and various substituted quinolines were synthesized by coupling of 2-aminobenzyl alcohol and secondary alcohols. A few control reactions and spectroscopic experiments were conducted to illuminate the plausible reaction mechanism, indicating that the 1 a -catalyzed N-alkylation proceeds through the borrowing hydrogen pathway. The coordinated arylazo ligand participates actively throughout the reaction; the hydrogen eliminated during dehydrogenation of alcohols was set aside in the ligand backbone and subsequently gets transferred in the reductive amination step to imine intermediates yielding N-alkylated amines. On the other hand, 1 a -catalyzed quinoline synthesis proceeds through dehydrogenation followed by successive C−C and C−N coupling steps forming H₂O₂ as a by-product under air.     

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.     

Electride-Sponsored Radical-Controlled CO2 Reduction to Organic Acids: A Computational Design

Converting CO₂ into high-value chemicals has been regarded as an important solution for a sustainable low-carbon economy. In this work, we have theoretically designed an innovative strategy for the absorption and activation of CO₂ by the electride N3Li, that is, 1,3,5(2,6)-tripyridinacyclohexaphane (N3) intercalated by lithium. DFT computations showed that the interaction of CO₂ with N3Li leads to the catalytic complex N3Li(η²-O₂C), which can initiate the radical-controlled reduction of another CO₂ to form organic acids through radical reactions in the gas phase. The CO₂ reduction consists of four steps: (1) The formation of N3Li(η²-O₂C) through the combination of N3Li and CO₂, (2) hydrogen abstraction from RH (R=H, CH₃, and C₂H₅) by N3Li(η²-O₂C) to form the radical R^. and N3Li(η²-O₂C)H, (3) the combination of CO₂ and the radical R^. to form RCOO^., and (4) intermolecular hydrogen transfer from the intermediate N3Li(η²-O₂C)H to RCOO^.. In the whole reaction process, the CO₂ moiety in the complex N3Li(η²-O₂C) maintains a certain radical character at the carbon atom of CO₂ and plays a self-catalyzing role. This work represents the first example of electride-sponsored radical-controlled CO₂ reduction, and thus provides an alternative strategy for CO₂ conversion.     

Solvent-free, ruthenium-catalyzed, regioselective ring-opening of epoxides, an efficient route to various 3-alkylated indoles

Ruthenium-catalyzed regioselective ring-opening of aliphatic and aryl epoxides under solvent-free conditions is reported. It was found that RuCl₃·nH₂O catalyzes the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles, providing 3-alkylated derivatives in good yields under mild reaction conditions.     

Sc(OTf)3: A Highly Efficient and Renewable Catalyst for Michael Addition of Indoles to Nitroolefins in Water

A catalytic amount of scandium trifluoromethanesulfonate [Sc(OTf)₃] (2.5 mol%) was used to catalyze the Michael addition of indoles to nitroolefins in water to afford the corresponding 3-alkylated indoles in good to excellent yields. The short reaction times, excellent yields, and renewability of the catalyst are noteworthy.     

First example of FeCl3-catalyzed alkylation of indoles with pinenes

Indoles undergo smooth alkylation with α- and β-pinenes in the presence of 20 mol % of anhydrous FeCl₃ under mild reaction conditions to produce a wide range of the corresponding 3-alkylated indoles in excellent yields with high trans-selectivity. This is the first example of alkylation of indoles with mono-terpenes.     

Synthesis of N-acetyl-3,3a,4,8b- and -1,3a,4,8b-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indoles from N- and 2-(cyclopent-2-en-1-yl)anilines

Reactions of 2-bromo-N-(cyclopent-2-en-1-yl)-4-methylaniline and N-(cyclopent-2-en-1-yl)-2-iodo-4,6-dimethylaniline with acetyl bromide in the presence of potassium carbonate gave mixtures of syn and anti atropisomers of the corresponding N-acetyl derivatives at ratios of 1: 1 and 3: 2 respectively. Heating of these mixtures in toluene in the presence of Pd(OAc)₂, PPh₃, Et₃N, and K₂CO₃ (KOAc) afforded mixtures of isomeric N-acetyl-7-methyl-3,3a,4,8b- and -1,3a,4,8b-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indoles at a ratio of 3: 1 or N-acetyl-5,7-dimethyl-3,3a,4,8b- and -1,3a,4,8b-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indoles at a ratio of 2: 3. N-Acetyl-3,3a,4,8b-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indole was found to undergo thermal isomerization into N-acetyl-1,3a,4,8btetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indole.     

A Photoinduced,Nickel-Catalyzed Reaction for the Stereoselective Assembly of C-Linked Glycosides and Glycopeptides

C-Alkyl glycosides and glycoproteins exist in natural products and are prized for their role as carbohydrate mimics in drug design. However, a practical strategy that merges glycosyl donors with readily accessible reagents, derived from abundant carboxylic acid and amine feedstocks, is yet to be conceived. Herein, we show that a nickel catalyst promotes C−C coupling between glycosyl halides and aliphatic acids or primary amines (converted into redox-active electrophiles in one step), in the presence of Hantzsch ester and LiI (or Et₃N) under blue LED illumination to deliver C-alkyl glycosides with high diastereoselectivity. Mechanistic studies support the photoinduced formation of alkyl radicals that react with a glycosyl nickel species generated in situ to facilitate cross-coupling. Through this manifold, innate CO₂H and NH₂ motifs embedded within amino acids and oligopeptides are selectively capped and functionalized to afford glycopeptide conjugates through late-stage glycosylation.     

Domino rhodium(I)-catalysed reactions for the efficient synthesis of substituted benzofurans and indoles

Rhodium(I) catalysts promote the transformation of o-alkynyl phenols and anilines to the corresponding benzo[b]furans and indoles. The reaction is postulated to proceed via a transient 3-rhodium heterocycle intermediate, which can be trapped with suitable electrophiles to give poly-substituted heterocycles. In the case of mono-substituted electron-withdrawn electrophiles, excellent yield and selectivity for conjugate addition versus Heck-Mizoroki reaction can be achieved. In the case of 2-alkynyl pyridine electrophiles, novel 2-(benzofuran-3-yl)vinylpyridines are formed.     

A novel synthesis of 4-alkyl-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohex-2-en-1-ones and the Sceletium alkaloid,o-methyljoubertiamine.

The dianion formed by reduction of (η⁶:η⁶-4,4′-dimethoxybiphenyl)[Cr(CO)₃]₂ reacts with electrophiles such as methyl or ethyl triflate or allyl tosylate at −78 °C followed by CF₃CO₂H and I₂ to form 4-alkyl-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohex-2-en-1-ones.     

Direct N- and C-alkenylation of nitrogen-containing heterocycles with magnesium alkylidene carbenoids

Treatment of magnesium alkylidene carbenoids, which were generated from 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with isopropylmagnesium chloride at −78 °C in toluene, with N-lithio nitrogen-containing heterocycles gave N-alkenylated products in moderate to good yields. Also, the reaction of C-lithio indoles, which were generated from N-protected indoles, with magnesium alkylidene carbenoids gave C-2 or C-3 alkenylated products, corresponding to the protective group. The intermediate of these reactions were found to be the alkenyl anion, which could be trapped with electrophiles to give the heterocycles having fully substituted alkenes.     

Kinetics and quantification of the electrophilic reactivities of substituted thiophenes and structure‐reactivity relationships

Second‐order rate constants (k₁) have been measured spectrophotometrically for reactions of 2‐methoxy‐3‐X‐5‐nitrothiophene 1a‐c (X = NO₂, CN, and COCH₃) with secondary cyclic amines (pyrrolidine 2a , piperidine 2b , and morpholine 2 c ) in CH₃CN and 91:9 (v/v) CH₃OH/CH₃CN at 20°C. The experimental data show that the rate constants (k₁) values exhibit good correlation with the parameters of nucphilicity (N) of the amines 2a‐c and are consistent with the Mayr's relationship log k (20°C) = s(E + N). We have shown that the electrophilicity parameters E derived for 1a–c and those reported previously for the thiophenes 1d‐g (X = SO₂CH₃, CO₂CH₃, CONH₂, and H) are linearly related to the pK_a values for their gem‐dimethoxy complexes in methanol. Using this correlation, we successfully evaluated the electrophilicity E values of 12 structurally diverse electrophiles in methanol for the first time. In addition, a satisfactory linear correlation (r² = 0.9726) between the experimental (log k_exp) and the calculated (log k_calcd) values for the σ‐complexation reactions of these 12 electrophiles with methoxide ion in methanol has been observed and discussed.     

A Strategy for Synthesizing Axially Chiral Naphthyl‐Indoles: Catalytic Asymmetric Addition Reactions of Racemic Substrates

A new strategy for enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral naphthyl‐indoles has been established through catalytic asymmetric addition reactions of racemic naphthyl‐indoles with bulky electrophiles. Under chiral phosphoric acid catalysis, azodicarboxylates and o‐hydroxybenzyl alcohols served as bulky but reactive electrophiles that were attacked by C2‐unsubstituted naphthyl‐indoles, which underwent a dynamic kinetic resolution to afford two series of axially chiral naphthyl‐indoles in good yields (up to 98 %) and high enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 er).