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.     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis of Indolo[3,2‐b]carbazoles via an Anomeric‐Based Oxidation Process: A Combined Experimental and Computational Strategy

Indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole is a molecule of great biological significance, as it is formed in vivo after consumption of cruciferous vegetables. The reaction of 1H‐indole and various aldehydes in the presence of a catalytic amount of N,2‐dibromo‐6‐chloro‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[e][1,2,4]thiadiazine‐7‐sulfonamide 1,1‐dioxide as an efficient and homogeneous catalyst in acetonitrile at 50°C produces 6,12‐disubstituted 5,7‐dihydroindolo[2,3‐b]carbazole with an in good to excellent yield. The presented technique offers a fast and robust method, by the use of inexpensive commercially available starting materials toward 6,12‐disubstituted 5,7‐dihydroindolo[2,3‐b]carbazole. A new anomeric‐based oxidation was kept in mind for the final step of the indolo[2,3‐b]carbazoles synthesis. The suggested anomeric‐based oxidation mechanism was supported by experimental and theoretical evidences.     

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.     

Tandem Synthesis of Benzo[b]carbazoles and Their Photoluminescent Properties

5 H‐Benzo[b]carbazoles were prepared through a tandem reaction between 2‐ethynyl‐N‐triphenylphosphoranylidene anilines and α‐diazoketones through ketenimine intermediates in moderate‐to‐good yields. By using this approach, benzo[b]benzo[5,6]indolo[3,2‐h]carbazoles, fluoreno[9,1‐ab]carbazoles, and fluoreno[9,1‐ab]fluoreno[1′,9′:5,6,7]indolo[3,2‐h]carbazoles were constructed in one pot. Moreover, the resulting products emitted light within the range 410–521 nm, with quantum yields of up to 62 %.     

Synthesis and structures of two novel indolo[3,2-b] carbazole derivatives

Indolocarbazole derivatives have already been reported to be good organic semiconductor candidates. The knowledge of the relationship between the structure and packing of molecules in crystal is indispensable in design of high performance organic semiconductor materials. Two new indolocarbazole derivatives, 2,8-dibromo-5,11-di-[4-(isoindole-1,3-dione-2-yl)butyl]indolo[3,2-b]carbazole (I) and 2,8,6,12-tetrabromo-5,11-di-(4-chlorobutyl)indolo[3,2-b]carbazole (II) have been synthesized and the crystal structures have been studied. The dichloromethane solvate of (I), C₄₂H₃₂Br₂N₄O₄ · 2CH₂Cl₂, is monoclinic, space groups P2₁/n. Unit cell parameters are a = 11.6847(2), b = 12.6942(2), c = 13.7899(2) Å, β = 91.8220(10)°. Unlike other indolo[3,2-b]carbazole derivatives, there is no any π–π stacking between the indolocarbazole backbone of two adjacent molecules in the crystal. Since the isoindole-1,3-dione-2-yl is introduced in 5- and 11-positions in the molecule, the intermolecular short contacts mainly localize in between the pendant groups of the neighboring indolocarbazole molecules. The compound (II) is also monoclinic with P2₁/c space groups. Unit cell parameters are a = 4.6427(9), b = 11.425(2), c = 24.511(4) Å, β = 93.47(1)°. In contrast with compound (I), the molecules of (II) possess strong face-to-face π–π stacking. The crystal structures were studied in detail. It is concluded that linear pedant groups benefit to co-facial π–π interaction. Additionally, the molecule electronic spectra were studied by quantum chemistry theoretical calculation.     

Highly Diastereoselective Synthesis of Polycyclic Indolines through Formal [4+2] Propargylic Cycloaddition of Indoles with Ethynyl Benzoxazinanones

A formal [4+2] propargylic annulation of indoles and pyrrole with ethynyl benzoxazinanones was described. This protocol provides a concise synthesis of tetrahydro‐5H‐indolo[2,3‐b]quinolines and tetrahydro‐3H‐pyrrolo[3,2‐b]quinoline, the core structures of alkaloid frameworks, featuring excellent yields, high diastereoselectivity, mild conditions and wide substrate scope.     

Acetylation of indolobenzo[b]furans,pyrrolocarbazole, pyrrolophenothiazine dioxide and pyrroloacridine under Vilsmeier reaction conditions

The course of the Vilsmeier acetylation of new heterocyclic systems, namely, indolo[4,5-d]-, indolo[6,5-d]-, indolo[5,6-d]-, indolo[5,4-d]benzo[b]furans, 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]carbazole, 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pheno-thiazine 11,11-dioxide, and 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]acridine depends on the type of fusion of the pyrrole ring. Angular heterocycles are acetylated at the -position of the pyrrole ring, while linear heterocycles under analogues conditions give dimerization products with a substituent at the nitrogen atom of the hydrogenated part of the dimer molecule. 3H-Pyrrolo[2,3-c]phenothiazine 11,11-dioxide and 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]acridine are not acetylated under Vilsmeier reaction conditions.Georgian Technical University, 380075 Tbilisi, Georgia. D. E. Mendeleev Russian Chemical Engineering University, 125047 Moscow. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 10, pp. 1331–1336, October, 1996. Original article submitted August 19, 1996.     

Study of Friedel-Crafts acetylation of indolobenzo[b]furans,indolobenzo[b]thiophenes,pyrrolocarbazole, and pyrrolophenothazine dioxide by1H NMR spectroscopy

The reactivity towards Friedel-Crafts acetylation of the new heterocyclic systems indolo[5,6-d]- and indolo[5,4-d]benzo-[d]furans, 3H pyrrolo[2,3-c]carbazole, indolo[7,6-d]-, indolo[4,5-d]- and indolo[5,4-d]benzo-[b]thiophenes and 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]phenothiazine-11,11-dioxide have been studied. Under acid conditions these heterocycles behave like indole to give dimerization products, but anomalies were observed in a number of cases. These principles have been established by detailed analysis of the ¹ H NMR spectra of the reaction products. Georgian Technical University, Tbilisi 380075. D. I. Mendeleev Russian Chemical Technological University, Moscow 125047. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 8, pp. 1078–1091, August, 1995. Original article submitted June 12, 1995.     

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.     

1,4‐Dihydropyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrrole and Its π‐Expanded Analogues

Various approaches to the synthesis of 1,4‐dihydropyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrroles are summarized. Many two‐ and three‐step reaction sequences have been developed, and have allowed access to a broad variety of structures, including not only the parent 1,4‐dihydropyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrroles, but also their π‐expanded analogues. The newest approaches are critically compared with older strategies. The reactivity of these compounds is also reviewed, with special emphasis on electrophilic aromatic substitution. The synthesis of indolo[3,2‐b]indole derivatives has been the subject of intense investigation. Overall, a few interesting and ingenious approaches toward these ladder‐type heteroacenes have been proposed, reaching total yields in the region of 30 %. Finally, the optical, electrochemical, and other physicochemical properties are presented in the broader perspective of heteropentalenes. The parent 1,4‐dihydro‐pyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrroles constitute the most electron‐rich, simple, aromatic heterocycles, and their simple derivatives and π‐expanded analogues possess strong violet, blue, or green fluorescence both in solution and in the solid state.     

A Straightforward Approach to Tetrahydroindolo[3,2‐b]carbazoles and 1‐Indolyltetrahydrocarbazoles through [3+3] Cyclodimerization of Indole‐Derived Cyclopropanes

A rapid new approach to produce biologically relevant bisindoles, namely indolyltetrahydrocarbazoles and indolo[3,2‐b]carbazoles, has been developed, based on the Ga(OTf)₃‐catalyzed [3+3] cyclodimerization of indole‐derived donor–acceptor cyclopropanes. Chemoselectivity of the process depends on the location of the three‐membered ring at the indole core.     

Polycyclic N‐Heterocyclic Compounds,Part 69: Synthesis of 5‐amino‐1,2‐dihydro[1]benzofuro[3,2‐d]furo[2,3‐b]pyridines and their transformations to related compounds

Reaction of 3‐(3‐cyanopropoxy)[1]benzofuran‐2‐carbonitriles with potassium tert‐butoxide gave 5‐amino‐1,2‐dihydro[1]benzofuro[3,2‐d]furo[2,3‐b]pyridines and 5‐amino‐2,3‐dihydro[1]benzofuro[3,2‐b]oxepin‐4‐carbonitriles as new ring systems. Reactions of the 5‐chloro derivative, obtained from 5‐amino‐1,2‐dihydro[1]benzofuro[3,2‐d]furo[2,3‐b]pyridine, produced a dihydrofuran ring‐opened compound and 5‐substituted compounds. J. Heterocyclic Chem.,(2011).     

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.     

Triazole-fused indolo[2,3-a]carbazoles: synthesis,structures, and properties

The synthesis, structure, and photophysical and electrochemical properties of triazole fused indolo[2,3-a]carbazole derivatives 2 - 5 are reported. The key step involved in the synthesis of triazole fused indolo[2,3-a]carbazole derivatives is the Cadogan ring closing reaction. 2-Hexyl-5,6-dinitro-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazoles having 4,7-diaryl capping were subjected to the Cadogan cyclization reaction to obtain compounds 2-5 . In contrast to thiadiazole-fused indolo[2,3-a]carbazole 1 , bromination of triazole-fused indolo[2,3-a]carbazole 4 afforded only meta-dibrominated product with respect to the nitrogen of fused pyrrole rings on treatment with both N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and elemental bromine. These compounds showed positive solvatochromism in their emission spectra. Incorporation of electron-donating substituent in the indole moiety resulted in the elevation of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to support the experimental findings.     

Synthesis of oxazolo[3,2‐b]hetero[1,2,4]thiadiazine S,S‐dioxides

Six bromomethyl derivatives of the new 2,3‐dihydrooxazolo[3,2‐b]thieno[3,4‐e][1,2,4]thiadiazine 5,5‐dioxides, 2,3‐dihydrooxazolo[3,2‐b]thieno[2,3‐e][1,2,4]thiadiazine 5,5‐dioxides and 6,7‐dihydrooxazolo‐[3,2‐b]pyrazolo[4,3‐e][1,2,4]thiadiazine 9,9‐dioxides heterocyclic ring systems were synthesized. These compounds are good intermediates for the preparation and development of promising antiviral and psy‐chotropic drugs. The structures of the products are supported by different nmr spectroscopic methods and mass spectrometry.     

Ligand‐Controlled Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Regiodivergent Carbonylation of Alkynes: Syntheses of Indolo[3,2‐c]coumarins and Benzofuro[3,2‐c]quinolinones

Regiodivergent syntheses of indolo[3,2‐c]coumarins and benzofuro[3,2‐c]quinolinones through a controllable palladium(II)‐catalyzed carbonylative cyclization are established. The chemo‐ and regioselectivity are exclusively tuned by the ligand on the palladium catalyst. The rigid framework of the electron‐deficient ligand promotes the O‐attack/N‐carbonylation cyclization leading to benzofuro[3,2‐c]quinolinones, while a sterically bulky and electron‐rich ligand facilitates N‐attack/O‐carbonylation cyclization to generate indolo[3,2‐c]coumarins. Furthermore, various other nucleophiles are applicable for delivering a variety of indoloquinolinones, pyranoquinolones, and chromeno[3,4‐c]quinolinones in one step, and serves as a method for creating compound libraries for drug discovery.     

Molecular Engineering of Isomeric Benzofurocarbazole Donors for Photophysical Management of Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters

Benzofurocarbazole moieties are commonly used donor structures in the design of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters. However, only 5 H-benzofuro[3,2-c]carbazole (34BFCz) has been reported and, to the best of our knowledge, no other benzofurocarbazole derivatives have been covered in the literature. In the present study, two further benzofurocarbazole moieties, 12 H-benzofuro[3,2-a]carbazole (12BFCz) and 7 H-benzofuro[2,3-b]carbazole (23BFCz), have been synthesized to investigate the effect of the donor structure on the photophysics and device parameters of TADF emitters. Two benzofurocarbazole-derived TADF emitters, 12-(2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)phenyl)-12 H-benzofuro[3,2-a]carbazole (o12BFCzTrz) and 7-(2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)phenyl)-7 H-benzofuro[2,3-b]carbazole (o23BFCzTrz), have been compared with 5-(2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)phenyl)-5 H-benzofuro[3,2-c]carbazole (oBFCzTrz). The benzofurocarbazole donor structure governs the TADF characteristics, such as charge-transfer property and emission color. The 12BFCz donor has proved to be effective in blue-shifting the emission color, and 34BFCz has proven useful for improving the external quantum efficiency (EQE). The 12BFCz-derived o12BFCzTrz showed blue-shifted color coordinates of (0.159, 0.288), compared to (0.178, 0388) for o23BFCzTrz and (0.169, 0.341) for oBFCzTrz. The 34BFCz-derived oBFCzTrz exhibited an EQE of 22.9 %, compared to 19.2 % for o12BFCzTrz and 21.1 % for o23BFCzTrz.     

Construction of Hexahydropyrido[3,2‐c]carbazole and Hexahydropyrrolo[3,2‐c]carbazole Skeletons for the Synthesis of Related Indole Alkaloids

Synthesis of tetracyclic hexahydropyrido[3,2‐c]carbazoles ( 9a and 9b ) and hexahydropyrrolo[3,2‐c]carbazoles ( 13a and 13b ) structures was achieved via a new synthetic approach for the synthesis of related indole alkaloids such as deethylaspidospermidine and deethylibophyllidine. Hexahydropyrrolo[3,2‐c]carbazole structure was constructed for the first time starting from ethyl 4‐oxo‐cyclohexanecarboxylate in seven steps. Some tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives ( 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 11 , and 12 ) were also synthesized.