Synthesis,photophysical and electrochemical properties of novel 6,12-di(thiophen-2-yl) substituted indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles

Novel 5,11-dialkyl-6,12-di(thiophen-2-yl) substituted 5,11-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]carbazoles have been obtained and plausible ways for their further modifications via the Friedel–Crafts reaction are presented. The formylation of these indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles with dichloromethyl alkyl esters catalysed by Lewis acids leads to the formation of the corresponding 2,8-diformyl derivatives. Applicability of this formylation method for modification of indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles bearing electron-rich aromatic substituents at C-6 and C-12 has also been demonstrated. The Knoevenagel condensation of 2,8-dialdehydes with active methylene nitriles has been studied. The measurements of optical and redox properties for a number of new indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles have been performed.     

Synthesis and alkylation of indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles

Double Fischer cyclisation was used to prepare indolo[3,2-b]carbazole and its 2,8-di-OMe, OH, Br and F-derivatives. N-monosubstituted derivatives of indolo[3,2-b]carbazole (methyl, hydroxymethyl, dimethylaminoethyl) were obtained starting from 5,11-di-Boc-indolo[3,2-b]carbazole.     

Palladium-catalyzed amination and cyclization to heteroannellated indoles and carbazoles

New ortho-bromodiarylamines in the benzo[b]thiophene series were prepared by palladium-catalyzed amination, either in the benzene or in the thiophene ring. These were submitted to palladium-catalyzed cyclization, under different required conditions, to give several differently substituted thieno[3,2-c] or [2,3-b]carbazoles and indolo[3,2-b]benzo[b]thiophenes. This constitutes a novel synthetic route to both tetracyclic systems.     

Synthesis and characterization of oxadisilole-fused acridines,dioxatrisilole-fused acridines and benzo[b]acridines

Oxadisilole-fused acridines, dioxatrisilole-fused acridines and benzo[b]acridines were synthesized through nucleophilic additions and aromatization reactions of arynes with 2-aminoaryl ketones or 2-aminoaryl aldehydes in good yields at room temperature. The photophysical, redox and thermal properties of these compounds were characterized. These compounds show potential applications as strong deep-blue or green emitters for OLED because of high fluorescence quantum yields and good thermal stabilities.     

Structure elucidation of two tryptophan-derived, high affinity Ah receptor ligands

Background: Environmental contaminants, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and other structurally related ‘environmental hormones’, exert their harmful biological effects through the Ah receptor signaling pathway. Several naturally occurring substances also bind to this receptor, but its natural role is still obscure. Tryptophan derivatives of the indolo[3,2-b]carbazole type, earlier suggested by us to be endogenous ligands for the receptor, should be a powerful tool in understanding receptor function. We therefore: set out to determine their identity.Results: The two tryptophan-derived Ah receptor ligands have been chemically analyzed and characterized by means of mass spectrometry, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. UV, infra-red and fluorescence spectra were also recorded. All data are in accordance with the two compounds being closely related indolo[3,2-b]carbazole derivatives. Evidence is presented that compound A (MW = 312) is the symmetrical 6,12-diformylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, and compound B (MW = 284) is the monosubstituted 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole.Conclusions: The elucidation of the structures of the two high affinity Ah receptor ligands 6,12-diformylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole and 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole provides the necessary basis for further mechanistic studies of this important group of compounds, and will help in determining the natural role of the Ah receptor.     

Enhanced absorption and fluorescence efficiency of silylethynyl-functionalized oligothiophenes and thieno[3,2-b]thiopahene

Silylethynyl-substituted oligothiophenes and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene were synthesized by the Sonogashira coupling reaction. The absorption and fluorescence maxima of these compounds shifted to longer wavelength, and they exhibited higher absorption coefficients and quantum yields than the corresponding unsubstituted molecules and tert-butylethynyl derivatives. From the DFT calculation, the energy band gap between HOMO and LUMO decreases by the introduction of a silicon atom. Thus, silyl groups can play important role in enhancing the quantum efficiency and decreasing the band-gap of chromophores. Hence, Silylethynyl group can serve as a highly efficient auxiliary for use in optical devices.     

Z‐Shaped Pyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrroles and Their Transformation into π‐Expanded Indolo[3,2‐b]indoles

Sterically hindered 1,4‐dihydropyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrroles possessing ortho‐(arylethynyl)phenyl substituents at positions‐2 and ‐5 were efficiently synthesized through a sila‐Sonogashira reaction. These unique Z‐shaped dyes showed relatively strong fluorescence in solution. Detailed optimization revealed that, in the presence of InCl₃, these alkynes readily undergo an intramolecular double cyclization to give hexacyclic products bearing an indolo[3,2‐b]indole skeleton in remarkable yields. Steady‐state UV–visible spectroscopy revealed that upon photoexcitation, the prepared Z‐shaped alkynes undergo mostly radiative relaxation leading to high fluorescence quantum yields. In the case of 7,14‐dihydrobenzo[g]benzo[6,7]indolo[3,2‐b]indoles, we believe that the substantial planarization of geometry in the excited state, is the underlying reason for the observed large Stokes shifts. The presence of additional electron‐withdrawing groups makes it possible to further alter the photophysical properties. The two‐photon absorption cross‐section values of both families of dyes were found to be modest and the nature of the excited state responsible for two‐photon absorption appeared to be strongly affected by the presence of peripheral groups. Serendipitous synthesis of unusual double‐Z‐shaped alkyne by Sonogashira and Glaser coupling is also reported.     

New star-shaped molecules derived from thieno[3,2-b]thiophene unit and triphenylamine

A series of new substituted triphenylamine (TPA) derivatives with alkyl thieno[3,2-b]thiophene and thiophene units were synthesized in a combinatorial manner. Suzuki coupling of a dioxaborolane TPA derivative and 2-bromo-3-nonylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene or Stille coupling of fresh stannyl thieno[3,2-b]thiophene was used. All compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, HRMS, UV-vis spectrometry and DSC measurements. It was demonstrated that the optical and thermal properties of these materials can be tuned by varying both the conjugation length and thienothiophene and thiophene combination on the TPA branches. Moreover, the measured molar extinction coefficients were increasing from 63,000 (λ_max = 354 nm) to 131,000 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ (λ_max = 428 nm) for TPA-thienothiophenes and TPA-bithiophene thienothiophenes, respectively. Some of them showed molecular glass behavior.     

Studies of the reactions between indole-2,3-diones (isatins) and 2-aminobenzylamine

Reflux of equimolecular amounts 2-aminobenzylamine and isatins in acetic acid produced indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6-ones in good yields. A proposed mechanism involving initial formation of a spiro compound is given. This isolable intermediate subsequently rearranges via a sequential isocyanate ring opening and a cyclisation process to a urea derivative which finally cyclized to the indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6-ones. The urea derivative could be prepared separately and cyclized selectively to indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6-one. Reaction of N-acetylisatin with 2-aminobenzylamine at room temperature yielded the 1,4-benzodiazepinone 3-(2-acetamidophenyl)-1,5-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one whereas its isomer 2(2-acetamidophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-3-one was obtained from 2-(2-acetylaminophenyl)-N-(2-aminobenzyl)-2-oxoacetamide in acetic acid at room temperature.The previously unknown linear isomer of indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6-one, i.e. indolo[2,3-b]quinolin-11-one, has been prepared by thermal (260°C) cyclization of methyl 2-phenylamino indole-3-carboxylate, which in turn was prepared in two steps from methyl indole-3-carboxylate.     

Synthesis and properties of hole-transporting indolo[3,2-b]carbazole-based hydrazones with reactive functional groups

The synthesis of indolo[3,2-b]carbazole-based mono- and dihydrazones with reactive vinylbenzyl or vinyloxyethyl functional groups at the nitrogen atom of hydrazine moiety is reported. The thermal, optical, photophysical, electrochemical and photoelectrical properties of the synthesized compounds are described. They exhibit moderate thermal stability with 5% weight loss temperatures ranging from 273 to 343 °C. Self-polymerization of the monomers with vinylbenzyl functional groups starts at around 180 °C. The values of ionization potentials of the compounds measured by cyclic voltammetry are in the range of 4.94–5.00 eV and those estimated by electron photoemission in air range from 4.99 to 5.21 eV. Electron affinities range from −2.28 to −2.23 eV. The molecular structure of these hydrazones allows stable amorphous films to be prepared and the hole drift mobilities of the films exceed 10⁻³ cm²/V s at high electric fields.     

Synthesis of azecino[5,4-b]indoles and indolo[3,2-e][2]benzazonines via tandem transformation of hydrogenated indoloquinolizines and indolizines

The reactions of partially hydrogenated indole-fused quinolizines and indolizines with activated alkynes in methanol, acetonitrile, and dichloromethane were studied. The reactions were shown to be accompanied by the cleavage of the bridging C-N bond. Azecino[5,4-b]-indole and indolo[3,2-e][2]benzazonine derivatives were synthesized.     

Synthesis of 2,10,11-Trisubstituted Indolo[3,2-b]quinolines

A new method has been developed for the synthesis of derivatives of indolo[3,2-b]quinolines-11 based on N-oxidization of 2-nitro-10-substituted indolo[3,2-b]quinolines with subsequent conversion of the mixtures obtained into 2-nitro-11-substituted indolo[3,2-b]quinolinones-11. A series of 2-nitro-11-substituted indolo[3,2-b]quinolines was prepared.     

Novel indole syntheses by ring transformation of β-lactam-condensed 1,3-benzothiazines into indolo[2,3-b][1,4]benzothiazepines and indolo[3,2-c]isoquinolines

ortho-Nitrophenyl-substituted condensed 1,3-benzothiazines proved to be a useful core unit in indole syntheses under non-reductive conditions. Thus, the treatment of ortho-nitro-2-aryl-2a-chloro-4H-azeto[2,1-b][1,3]benzothiazin-1-ones with sodium methoxide in methanol provided indolo-1,4-benzothiazepines via a novel rearrangement. Through the sulfur extrusion reaction of indolo[2,3-b][1,4]benzothiazepines, further alkaloid-type indole derivatives, indolo[3,2-c]isoquinolines, were obtained. The structures of the new ring systems were determined by means of NMR spectroscopy.     

Revisiting Indolo[3,2-b]carbazole: Synthesis,Structures, Properties,and Applications

Indolo[3,2-b]carbazole presents a π-skeleton with a remarkable electronic structure and interesting potential applications. It is, however, also associated with ambiguity and controversy. Herein, new derivatives of indolo[3,2-b]carbazole are reported and they have enabled a comprehensive study on the electronic structure of indolo[3,2-b]carbazole and the development of a new n-type organic semiconductor. Experimental and computational studies show that indolo[3,2-b]carbazole has a largely localized p-benzoquinonediimine moiety and significant antiaromaticity. When substituted with (4-silylethynyl)phenyl groups, the indolo[3,2-b]carbazole exhibits one-dimensional π–π stacking and functions as an n-type organic semiconductor in solution-processed field effect transistors.     

Efficient regioselective heterocyclisation leading to fluorescent fused pyrazine derivatives

The regioselective syntheses of substituted pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline, pyrido[2,3-b]pyrrolo[2,3-e]pyrazine, pyrido[2,3-b]pyrrolo[3,2-e]pyrazine and pyrido[3,4-b]pyrrolo[3,2-e]pyrazine are reported. Differential reactivity between two amino groups in ortho-diaminopyridine can be exploited to obtain new regio-defined unsymmetrical pyridopyrrolopyrazine derivatives. Weak electron-donating methyl or moderately electron-withdrawing carboxylic groups attached to the aromatic ortho-diamines reduce the regioselectivity of obtaining unsymmetrical substituted pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline. The fluorescence properties of the resultant 1-alkyl pyridopyrrolopyrazine and substituted pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivatives are presented.     

Synthesis,Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Novel 5-Ene-thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazole-6(5H)-ones as Possible Anticancer Agents

The present paper is devoted to the search for drug-like molecules with anticancer properties using the thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazole-6-one scaffold. A series of 24 novel thiazolo-[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazole-6-ones with 5-aryl(heteryl)idene- and 5-aminomethylidene-moieties has been synthesized employing three-component and three-stage synthetic protocols. A mixture of Z/E-isomers was obtained in solution for the synthesized 5-aminomethylidene-thiazolo[3,2-b]-[1,2,4]triazole-6-ones. The compounds have been studied for their antitumor activity in the NCI 60 lines screen. Some compounds present excellent anticancer properties at 10 μM. Derivatives 2h and 2i were the most active against cancer cell lines without causing toxicity to normal somatic (HEK293) cells. A preliminary SAR study had been performed for the synthesized compounds.     

Regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of new functionalized indolo[2,3-b]indole-pyrimidine based on C–N bond formation via a four-component reaction

A facile and diastereoselective synthetic procedure has been designed for the preparation of new substituted indolo[2,3-b]indole (IDID) moiety at position-5 of the pyrimidine ring by a one-pot four-component reaction of dimedone, aniline and substituted derivatives, barbituric acid/thiobarbituric acid and isatin under mild conditions. This method proceeds rely on a CsbndN bond formation under catalyst-free conditions affording a range of skeletally diversity 5-indolo[3,2-b]indole-pyrimidine-based heterocycles. 5-Indolo[2,3-b]indol-pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione and 5-indolo[2,3-b]indol-2-thioxo-pyrimidine-4,6-dione were obtained in EtOH solvent in high yield, short reaction time and diastereoselectivity. The structural diversities of the synthesized compounds have been confirmed spectroscopically, by IR ¹H- and ¹³C NMR, EI-MS spectra and elemental analyses which agree with the proposed structures.     

Hole-transporting glass-forming indolo[3,2-b]carbazole-based diepoxy monomer and polymers

Hole-transporting indolo[3,2-b]carbazole-based diepoxy monomer and polymers are reported. The polymers were prepared by polyaddition reaction of indolo[3,2-b]carbazole diepoxide with aromatic dithiols in the presence of triethylamine. Their number average molecular weights range from 11500 to 14310 and polydispersity indices are in the range of 2.96–3.08. Thermal, optical, photophysical, electrochemical and photoelectrical properties of the title compounds were studied. Both the monomer, 5,11-di-2,3-epoxypropyl-6-pentyl-5,11-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]carbazole and the polymers were found to form glasses with the glass transition temperatures ranging from 37 °C for the monomer to 99 °C for one of the polymers. Time-of-flight hole drift mobilities observed in the solid amorphous films of the monomer exceeded 10^?4 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at an electric field of 10⁶ V cm^?1.     

Fluorescent Indolo[3,2-a]phenazines against Toxoplasma gondii: Concise Synthesis by Gold-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization with 1,2-Silyl Migration and ipso-Iodination Suzuki Sequence

A gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 2-indolyl-3-[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)]quinoxalines with concomitant 1,2-silyl shift forms 6-(trimethylsilyl)indolo[3,2-a]phenazines in moderate to excellent yield. These silylated heterocycles are readily transformed into 6-aryl-indolo[3,2-a]phenazines in moderate to good yield by one-pot ipso-iodination Suzuki coupling. The title compounds represent a novel type of tunable luminophore. Structure-property relationships for 6-aryl-indolo[3,2-a]phenazines obtained from Hammett correlations with σ_p+ substituent parameters indicate that emission maxima, Stokes shifts, and fluorescence quantum yields can be fine-tuned by the remote para-aryl substituent. Furthermore, indolo[3,2-a]phenazines were found to exhibit interesting activities against medically relevant pathogens such as the Apicomplexa parasite Toxoplasma gondii with an IC₅₀ of up to 0.67±0.13 μM. Thus, these compounds are promising candidates for novel anti-parasitic therapies.     

Copper-catalyzed intramolecular C–N bond formation reaction of 3-amino-2-(2-bromophenyl)dihydroquinazolinones: synthesis of indazolo[3,2-b]quinazolinones

A copper-catalyzed intramolecular C–N bond formation reaction of 3-amino-2-(2-bromophenyl)dihydroquinazolinones has been developed for the synthesis of indazolo[3,2-b]quinazolinones in moderate to good yields. The structure of the newly synthesized indazolo[3,2-b]quinazolinones was unambiguously confirmed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. Moreover, a possible mechanism for the formation of indazolo[3,2-b]quinazolinones is discussed.