Iodine-promoted selective 3-selanylation and 3-sulfenylation of indoles with dichalcogenides under mild conditions

A simple method was developed for the synthesis of 3-chalcogen indoles via iodine-promoted direct 3-selanyl- and 3-sulfenylation of indoles with dichalcogenides. The reaction was carried out smoothly in EtOH under air at room temperature, selectively giving a series of 3-chalcogen indoles bearing different functional groups in good to excellent yields. The procedure has the merits of environmental friendliness, easy operation, wide substrate scope and mild reaction conditions.     

Direct synthesis of 3-arylindoles via annulation of aryl hydroxylamines with alkynes

3-Arylindoles are produced in moderate to excellent yields from the reaction between aryl hydroxylamines and alkynes catalyzed by 10 mol % iron(II) phthalocyanine [Fe(Pc)]. Terminal and internal alkynes afford 3-aryl substituted indoles exclusively. Electron-donating and -withdrawing groups are tolerated on the aryl hydroxylamine. A few bioactive indoles are synthesized as well as several new indoles using this one-step intermolecular annulation procedure.     

Synthesis of Indoles through Domino Reactions of 2‐Fluorotoluenes and Nitriles

Indoles are essential heterocycles in medicinal chemistry, and therefore, novel and efficient approaches to their synthesis are in high demand. Among indoles, 2‐aryl indoles have been described as privileged scaffolds. Advanced herein is a straightforward, practical, and transition‐metal‐free assembly of 2‐aryl indoles. Simply combining readily available 2‐fluorotoluenes, nitriles, LiN(SiMe₃)₂, and CsF enables the generation of a diverse array of indoles (38 examples, 48–92 % yield). A range of substituents can be introduced into each position of the indole backbone (C4 to C7, and aryl groups at C2), providing handles for further elaboration.     

One-step synthesis of 4-alkyl-3-aryl-2,6-dicyanoanilines and their use in the synthesis of highly functionalized 2,3,5,6,7- and 2,3,4,5,7-substituted indoles

A three-component, one-step method for the synthesis of 4-alkyl-3-aryl-2,6-dicyanoanilines involving reaction of alkyl aldehyde, malononitrile and aryl aldehyde in presence of morpholine is reported. Highly functionalized 2,3,5,6,7- and 2,3,4,5,7-substituted indoles were prepared from these dicyanoanilines by reaction with ethyl bromoacetate. These substituted dicyanoanilines and indoles have a potential to be converted into various other compounds taking advantage of various functional groups present in these molecules.     

Synthesis of Novel Chiral Phosphoric Acid‐Bearing Two Acidic Phenolic Hydroxyl Groups and its Catalytic Evaluation for Enantioselective Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation of Indoles and Enones

A novel chiral phosphoric acid catalyst bearing two acidic phenolic hydroxyl groups was synthesized. Its catalytic activity as a chiral Brøsted acid has been examined in the enantioselective Friedel‐Crafts alkylation of indoles and enones as a model reaction. In comparison with the other chiral phosphoric acid catalysts, the reaction catalyzed by the novel chiral catalyst afforded the desired 3‐substituted indoles in a higher enantioselectivity (up to 69% ee).     

Palladium/Copper Cocatalyzed Coupling Reaction of Aroyl Hydrazides with Indoles

An unprecedented palladium/copper cocatalyzed coupling reaction of indoles with simple aroyl hydrazides has been developed under aerobic conditions. A range of aroyl hydrazides underwent palladium/copper cocatalyzed oxidative arylation with indoles open to air in a 1:1 mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide and nitromethane to give structurally diverse 2‐arylindoles or 3‐arylindoles in moderate to good yields. The reaction well tolerates a wide variety of functional groups such as alkoxy, halo, ester.     

Synthesis of fused indoles by sequential palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction and N-heteroannulation

A route to 3,4-fused indoles via two consecutive palladium-catalyzed reactions; an intramolecular Heck reaction followed by a reductive N-heteroannulation is described. Using this route, a number of indoles have been prepared having a variety of ring sizes anchored to the 3- and 4-position of the indole nucleus. Furthermore, a number of functional groups, both carbon and heteroatom substituents can be introduced in (and on) the additional ring without any detrimental effects on the two reactions.     

Catalytic Prenylation and Reverse Prenylation of Indoles with Isoprene: Regioselectivity Manipulation through Choice of Metal Hydride

The basic industrial feedstock isoprene was employed as a building block to install prenyl and reverse‐prenyl groups onto indoles. The regioselectivity can be manipulated by the choice of metal hydride. Reverse‐prenylated indoles were attained with high selectivity when using Rh?H. By switching to a Pd?H catalyst, selectivity toward prenylated indoles was achieved. This regiodivergent method also features high atom economy without stoichiometric byproduct formation.     

CuBr-Catalyzed Coupling of N-Tosylhydrazones and Terminal Alkynes: Synthesis of Benzofurans and Indoles

A new method for the synthesis of benzofurans or indoles via ligand-free CuBr-catalyzed coupling/cyclization of terminal alkynes with N-tosylhydrazones derived from o-hydroxy- or o-aminobenzaldehydes has been developed. A wide range of functional groups were found that are able to tolerate the reaction conditions.     

Remarkable effect of N-substituent on enantioselective ruthenium-catalyzed propargylation of indoles with propargylic alcohols

Ruthenium-catalyzed enantioselective propargylation of indoles with propargylic alcohols affords the corresponding beta-propargylated indoles in good yields with a high enantioselectivity (up to 95% ee). A remarkable effect of the nature of the N-substituent of indoles is observed for the enantioselectivity of the propargylated indoles. The preparative method described in this paper may provide a novel protocol for asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles using propargylic alcohols as a new type of electrophiles.     

2,7-functionalized indoles as receptors for anions

A series of 2,7-functionalized indoles have been synthesized with appended amide and/or urea or thiourea groups. Anion complexation studies show a marked difference in the mode of interaction of carboxylates with indole-ureas vs indole-amides.     

Ionic diamine rhodium complex catalyzed reductive N-heterocyclization of 2-nitrovinylarenes

Ionic diamine rhodium complex (1) catalyzes the reductive N-cyclization of 2-vinylnitroarenes using carbon monoxide as a reducing agent to afford functionalized indoles. The catalytic system allows direct access to indoles with ester and ketone groups at the 2- or 3-position, in good yields.     

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.     

Parallel synthesis of an indole-based library via an iterative Mannich reaction sequence

A library of 1,3-disubstituted indoles has been prepared via an iterative Mannich reaction sequence. The first Mannich reaction with secondary amines and formaldehyde preferentially yields 3-aminomethyl indoles, while the second Mannich reaction introduces an additional aminomethyl group at the N1-position of the indole ring. A library of 25 substituted indoles has thus been prepared in moderate to good yields with purity.     

Room-temperature phosphorescence of 3- and 5-substituted indoles

The room-temperature phosphorescence of indole and thirteen substituted indoles on Schleicher and Schüll 2040A filter paper is reported. Caesium and iodide ions are effective in increasing the emission intensity. In the presence of iodide, the excitation and emission wavelengths of indole are 279 and 440 nm respectively. The excitation and emission wavelengths of indoles with aliphatic groups in the 3-position are 288-289 and 443-449 nm respectively. Indoles with 3,5-substitution have excitation and emission wavelengths of 300-308 and 448-460 nm respectively. Indoxylsulphate and indoxyl-beta-d-glucoside were the only indoles surveyed for which variations in the excitation and emission wavelengths depended on the heavy-atom ion present. These compounds had excitation wavelengths ranging from 288 to 388 nm, depending on which heavy-atom perturber was used. Emission wavelengths were 460-500 nm. Log-log plots of intensity vs. concentration were linear between 0.05 and 700 microg/ml for all the compounds studied, with detection limits in the nanogram range.     

Synthesis of 2,5-dihydroxy-3-(indol-3-yl)benzoquinones by acid-catalyzed condensation of indoles with 2,5-dichlorobenzoquinone

Three methods for the conjugate addition of indoles to 2,5-dichlorobenzoquinone have been developed. A wide variety of indoles substituted with halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, and aryl groups participate in anaerobic condensation reactions promoted by HCl, H2SO4, or CH3CO2H. The hydroquinone product is partially oxidized by excess dichlorobenzoquinone and fully converted to the 2,5-dichloro-3-(indol-3-yl)benzoquinone targets by DDQ or Ag2CO3 oxidation. 2,5-Dihydroxy-3-(indol-3-yl)benzoquinones can be obtained from the dichlorides by alkaline hydrolysis. The rotational characteristics of the biaryl bond created in these reactions have been examined by theoretical and spectroscopic methods.     

Cobalt(III)‐Catalyzed Redox‐Neutral Synthesis of Unprotected Indoles Featuring an N−N Bond Cleavage

A redox‐neutral cobalt(III)‐catalyzed synthetic approach for the direct synthesis of unprotected indoles showcasing an N?N bond cleavage is reported. The herein newly introduced Boc‐protected hydrazines establish a beneficial addition to the limited portfolio of oxidizing directing groups for cobalt(III) catalysis. Moreover, the developed catalytic methodology tolerates a good variety of functional groups.     

Palladium-/copper-catalyzed regioselective amination and chloroamination of indoles

A palladium-/copper-catalyzed intermolecular C-H amination reaction of indoles has been developed. This reaction proceeds in good to excellent yields to produce a variety of 2-amino-substituted indoles and exhibits excellent regioselectivity at room temperature. Furthermore, chloroamination of indoles provides a simple method for the construction of C-N and C-Cl bonds in one step.     

Mild and Efficient Michael Addition of Activated Olefins to Indoles using TBAB as a Catalyst: Synthesis of 3‐Substituted Indoles

A mild and efficient method for the synthesis of 3‐substituted indoles by treatment of activated olefins with indoles using TBAB as a catalyst afforded the corresponding products in excellent yields. The method is general for the preparation of a wide variety of 3‐substituted 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.