Catalytic Functionalization of Indoles in a New Dimension

140 Years ago Adolf von Baeyer proposed the structure of a heteroaromatic compound which revolutionized organic and medical chemistry: indole. After more than a century, indole itself and the complexity of naturally occurring indole derivatives continue to inspire and influence developments in synthetic chemistry. In particular, the ubiquitous presence of indole rings in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and functional materials are testament to the ever increasing interest in the design of mild and efficient synthetic routes to functionalized indole derivatives. This Review emphasizes the achievements in the selective catalytic functionalization of indoles (C? C bond‐forming processes) over the last four years.     

Identification of oxidation products and free radicals of tryptophan by mass spectrometry

New oxidation products and free radicals derived from tryptophan (Trp) oxidation under Fenton reaction conditions were identified using mass spectrometry. After the oxidation of tryptophan using hydrogen peroxide and iron (II) system (Fenton reaction), mono- and dihydoxy tryptophans and N-formylkynurenine were identified using electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS) and ES-MS/MS. Besides these products, new products resulting from the reaction of tryptophan and oxidized tryptophan and 3-methyl indole derivatives were also identified. The 3-methyl indole derivatives resulted, most probably, from the oxidation process and not from in-source processes. A dimer formed by cross-linking between two Trp radicals (Trp-Trp), similar to the previously described tyrosine dimer was observed, as well as the corresponding monohydroxy-dimer (Trp-Trp-OH). Tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify the structures of these new oxidation products. Free radicals derived from tryptophan oxidation under Fenton reaction were detected using as spin trap the DMPO. The free radical species originated during the oxidation reaction formed stable adducts with the spin trap, and these adducts were identified by ES-MS. New adducts of oxidized tryptophan radicals, namely monohydroxy-tryptophan and dihydroxy-Trp dimer radicals, with one and two DMPO spin trap molecules where identified. Tandem mass spectrometry was used to confirm the proposed structure of the observed adducts.     

Mass spectral fragmentation patterns of 2-methyl-, 2,3-methyl-, 2,3-dimethyl-, 2-aryl- and 3-phenylindole derivatives

The electron impact mass spectrometric fragmentation pathways for several 2-methyl-, 3-methyl-, 2,3-dimethyl-, 2-aryl- and 3-phenylindole derivatives were investigated. An interesting relationship between the substitution pattern in the framework of the indole derivatives and the fragmentation patterns was observed.     

PROFLAVIN-SENSITIZED PHOTOOXIDATION OF 3-METHYL INDOLE TO 2-METHYL-2-METHOXY-1, 4-BENZOXAZINE

Abstract— The dye-sensitized photochemical oxidation of 3-methyl indole was studied as a model for the photooxidation of the indole amino acid, tryptophan. The major product formed by proflavin-sensitized photooxidation is 2-methyl-2-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazine. The compound was isolated by preparative gas chromatography and identified by a combination of NMR, u.v., i.r., and mass spectroscopy on the photoproduct and its derivatives.     

A study of the reaction of N-chlorosuccinimide with indoles and its analytical application

The reaction of N-chlorosuccinimide with indole and few of its derivatives in acid medium has been studied. The purified products have been identified by TLC, elemental analysis and infrared studies, and a reaction mechanism is proposed on the basis of the results. The reaction proceeds smoothly and consistently, and can be used for microdetennination of indole and its derivatives.     

Unexpected formation of fluorine-containing tetrahydrocarbazole during the reaction of indole, paraformaldehyde, and fluorine-containing β-ketoesters

A surprise and mild method to prepare fluorine-containing indole derivatives through a one-pot three-component condensation reaction sequence is presented. To our surprise, during the reaction of preparation of fluorine-containing indole derivatives, unexpected formation of fluorine-containing tetrahydrocarbazole was found. Moreover, this method has been demonstrated in the preparation of functionalized polycyclic indole derivatives in a straightforward and atom-economical manner.     

Synthesis of pyrrolo[3,2-b]indole derivatives

The reaction of N-acetylindoxyl hydrazone with ketones in alcohol gave N-acetylindoxyl alkylindenehydrazones, which were converted to pyrrolo[3,2-b]indole derivatives by treatment with glacial acetic acid. Pyrrolo[3,2-b]indole derivatives were also obtained in the reaction of N-acetylindoxyl hydrazone with ketones in glacial acetic acid. The structures of the synthesized products were confirmed by data from the IR, UV, PMR, and mass spectra.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 201–205, February, 1982.     

Mass Spectral Behavior of Some Indole Schiff-Base Derivatives

TheanalysisofMSdataoftwentytwoindoleSchiff-basederivativesindicatesaclassofspeciticfragmentions(Tablcl).ThesespecificfragmentionsareX.YandZ.IJereweputforwardthepossibleMScleavagemechanismofformingthesespecifictyagmentions.Thestructuresofthetwenty-twoderivativesareconfirmedbyIH-NMRdata'.AsseenfromTablel,Xisakindofspecificfragmentions,i.e.[M--27]'or[(MH=O)--27]'.ThedevelopmentofM --27fragmentionmaygothroughfourmemberedtransitionstate'andM'losesHCfbyinnerextrusion(Figurcl).Theanalysis…     

The “one pot” synthesis of 4,5-dihydrobenzo[g]indole and its 1-vinyl derivative from 1-tetralone,hydroxylamine, and dichloroethane in the system KOH-DMSO

4,5-Dihydrobenzo[g]indole and its 1-vinyl derivative were obtained from 1-tetralone, hydroxylamine, and dichloroethane in the superbasic system KOH-DMSO (140 °C, 3 h) in a total yield of 88%. The proposed method provides a fire-safe and explosion-proof approach to indole derivatives in demand.     

On the Synthesis and Reactions of Indole-2-carboxylic Acid Hydrazide

Summary.  Indole-2-carboxylic acid hydrazide was prepared and allowed to react with aromatic aldehydes in acidic medium to give the corresponding hydrazone derivatives in good yields. The hydrazones were cyclized to indolo[2,3-d]pyridazine derivatives by refluxing with acetyl chloride. The indole carbohydrazide was converted to 2-triazolylindoles which acted as starting materials for several indole derivatives. A number of new indole derivatives were also prepared and structurally confirmed. Received October 17, 2000. Accepted (revised) December 12, 2000     

Et2Zn-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of alkynyl sulfonamides and the related tandem cyclization/addition reaction

Intramolecular hydroamination of alkynyl amides was effected by a catalytic amount of Et2Zn (20 mol %) to form indole derivatives, and a tandem cyclization/nucleophilic addition procedure involving reaction of the indole zinc salt intermediate with acid chlorides or halides was developed to provide an efficient approach to C3-substituted indole derivatives when an excess of Et2Zn (120 mol %) was used.     

Synthesis of benz[5,6]azepino[4,3-b]indoles by 1,7-electrocyclisation of azomethine ylides

A new, general route to the benz[5,6]azepino[4,3-b]indole ring system has been developed via the 1,7-dipolar electrocyclisation reactions of azomethine ylides derived from easily available 3-formyl indole derivatives. The intermediacy of azomethine ylides was shown by the trapping of the proposed α,β:γ,δ-conjugated dipole with N-phenylmaleimide.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-Butyl (2<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-tolylsulfonyloxy)propionate — a suitable reagent for the direct alkylation of indole derivatives

A new method is proposed for the synthesis of indole derivatives containing a chiral substituent at the nitrogen atom, which includes the direct alkylation of indole derivatives with tert-butyl (2S)-(p-tolylsulfonyloxy)propionate, obtained from commercial ethyl (S)-lactate with subsequent conversion to the corresponding p-toluenesulfonyloxy derivative by hydrolysis, and esterification. Dedicated to Academician B. A. Trofimov on his 70^th birthday. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 9, 1391–1398, September, 2008.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Screening for Anti‐inflammatory and Antimicrobial Activity of Novel Indolyl Chalcone Derivatives

Because of the great biological importance of substituted indole derivatives, in the present study, a series of pyrazolylindole, thiazolylindole, and pyrimidinylindole derivatives have been synthesized with good yield. The precursor indolyl chalcone 2a – d was prepared by reaction of 3‐chloro‐1H‐indole‐2‐carbaldehyde 1 with different ketones. Then, compounds 3b – d , 4 , and 5a – d have been synthesized by the reaction of chalcones 2a – d with hydrazine, phenylhydrazine, and thiosemicarbazide. When the chalcone derivative 2b subjected to react with hydroxylamine hydrochloride gave isoxazolylindole derivative 6b . N‐thiazolidine pyrazolyl indole 7 was obtained by reacting compound 5a with ethyl chloroacetate. On the other hand, when chalcone derivative 2b allowed to react with urea and thiourea gave the corresponding pyrimidinylindole derivatives 8 and 9 . Finally, when chalcone derivative 2b reacted with ethyl cyanoacetate or malononitrile gave pyridinylindole derivatives 10 and 11 . The structures of the all synthesized compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis infrared, NMR, and mass spectroscopy. Some of the synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory activity. Compound 4b was the highest antibacterial activity against all strains of bacteria with values higher than those of the corresponding reference antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and levofoxacin, respectively) and almost the same as (gemifloxacin, moxifloxacin, clindamycin, gentamycin, and streptomycin). Compounds 4 , 5 , 6 , and 7 showed high anti‐inflammatory activity compared with the standard drug indomethacin.     

Conjugation of indole derivatives by copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition

An efficient synthetic procedure to combine biologically active indole derivatives by the triazole-containing spacer in a molecule has been proposed. The procedure was based on a copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition of azide-containing carbazoles and N-propargyl-containing carbazoles, tetrahydrocarbazoles, and tetrahydro-γ-carbolines.     

Direct C–H amination for indole synthesis from N-Ts-2-Styrylaniline derivatives catalyzed by copper salt

A direct C–H amination reaction of N-Ts-2-Styrylaniline derivatives to realize the synthesis of indole derivatives was developed in the presence of copper salt. A variety of N-Ts-2-Styrylaniline derivatives were transformed into the corresponding indole products in good to excellent yield under mild conditions with the oxidation of potassium persulfate.     

A new approach to the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]indole derivatives

Reactions of 2-(3,3-diamino-2-cyanoprop-2-enylidene)indolin-3-ones with amide acetals afforded derivatives of 3-aminomethyleneamino-2-cyano-9-oxo-9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indole and 3-amino-2-cyano-9-oxo-9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indole. The rate and pathway of the reaction depend on the reagents and solvents. The formation schemes for the compounds obtained were proposed. Their structures were proven by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and confirmed by independent syntheses. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2186–2192, December, 2006.     

An efficient and clean Michael addition of indoles to electron‐deficient olefins under solvent‐ and catalyst‐free condition

An efficient Michael addition of indoles to electron‐deficient olefins under solvent‐ and catalyst‐free condition afforded biologically important 3‐substituted indole derivatives in good to excellent yields was reported. The acidic N? H proton of indole plays a key role in Michael addition of indoles to electron‐deficient olefins. This very simple procedure provides an efficient and clean process for the synthesis of indole derivatives. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

New insights into ergot alkaloid biosynthesis in Claviceps purpurea: an agroclavine synthase EasG catalyses, via a non-enzymatic adduct with reduced glutathione, the conversion of chanoclavine-I aldehyde to agroclavine

Ergot alkaloids are indole derivatives with diverse structures and biological activities. They are produced by a wide range of fungi with Claviceps purpurea as the most important producer for medical use. Chanoclavine-I aldehyde is proposed as a branch point via festuclavine or pyroclavine to clavine-type alkaloids in Trichocomaceae and via agroclavine to ergoamides and ergopeptines in Clavicipitaceae. Here we report the conversion of chanoclavine-I aldehyde to agroclavine by EasG from Claviceps purpurea, a homologue of the festuclavine synthase FgaFS in Aspergillus fumigatus, in the presence of reduced glutathione and NADPH. EasG comprises 290 amino acids with a molecular mass of about 31.9 kDa. The soluble monomeric His(6)-EasG was purified after overproduction in E. coli by affinity chromatography and used for enzyme assays. The structure of agroclavine was unequivocally elucidated by NMR and MS analyses.     

Cu(I)-phosphine complex: An efficient catalyst for synthesis of 3-indole derivatives through one-pot MCR under mild conditions

An efficient copper (I) halotriphenylphosphine catalyzed one-pot multicomponent reaction (MCR) of 3-substituted indole derivatives has been developed using a variety of aldehydes (aromatic, aliphatic, and heteroaromatic), indole, and active methylene substrates such as malononitrile and ethyl 2-cyano acetate. This reaction proceeds smoothly and obtained good to excellent yields (68–93%) using water as green solvent under ambient conditions. The obtained products were confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectroscopy techniques. The one-pot MCR occurs through formation of Knoevenagel adducts then followed by Michael addition of indole.