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.     

Development of an efficient procedure for indole ring synthesis from 2-ethynylaniline derivatives catalyzed by CuII salts and its application to natural product synthesis

The development of efficient methods for the indole synthesis catalyzed by Cu(II) salts and its applications were investigated. Cu(OAc)(2) has been proved to be the best catalyst for the synthesis of various 1-p-tolylsulfonyl or 1-methylsulfonylindoles, which have both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups on the aromatic ring and C2 position of indoles. For the primary aniline derivatives, Cu(OCOCF(3))(2) showed good activities, while Cu(OAc)(2) was a good catalyst for the cyclization of secondary anilines. This methodology could be applied to the sequential cyclization reaction for the compounds which have the electrophilic part in the same molecule. By prior treatment with KH, the sequential cyclization was realized to provide the tricyclic ring systems, but it was limited to five- and six-membered rings for the second cyclization. Finally, formal and total synthesis of hippadine with the Cu(II)-promoted indole synthesis as the key step was accomplished.     

Photoinduced intramolecular cyclization of o-ethenylaryl isocyanides with organic disulfides mediated by diphenyl ditelluride

Photoinduced reaction of o-ethenylaryl isocyanides with organic disulfides in the presence of diphenyl ditellurides affords the corresponding bisthiolated indole derivatives via a radical cyclization process. The cyclization can proceed at room temperature upon visible-light irradiation and exhibits good tolerance to functional groups. Several organic disulfides also can be employed for this cyclization, and the corresponding bisthiolated indole derivatives are obtained selectively. In addition, the photoinduced reaction of o-ethenylaryl isocyanides with bis(2-aminophenyl) disulfide affords tetracyclic compounds in one portion.     

Fluorinated N-[2-(haloalkyl)phenyl]imidoyl chloride, a key intermediate for the synthesis of 2-fluoroalkyl substituted indole derivatives via Grignard cyclization process

Fluorinated N-[2-(haloalkyl)phenyl]imidoyl chloride, which was readily available from the corresponding anilines by using Uneyama's one-pot synthesis of fluorinated imidoyl chloride, was found to be a key intermediate for the facile synthesis of 2-fluoroalkyl substituted indole derivatives via the Grignard cyclization process. The bromination of 3-methyl group of 3-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl indole with NBS/CCl₄ led to the formation of 3-bromomethyl substituted indole which can be further utilized to synthesize some new and biologically interested indole derivatives.     

Indole synthesis by radical cyclization of o-alkenylphenyl isocyanides and its application to the total synthesis of natural products

Development of indole synthesis by tin-mediated radical cyclization of o-alkenylphenyl isocyanide is described. Upon heating o-alkenylphenyl isocyanide in the presence of tri-n-butyltin hydride and AIBN, 2-stannyl-3-substituted indole was formed via 5-exo-trig cyclization of the imidoyl radical intermediate. After acidic workup, 3-substituted indoles were isolated. For substrates bearing simple alkyl groups, a substantial amount of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives were generated through 6-endo-trig cyclization. This undesired cyclization was suppressed by using an excess amount (five equivalents based on o-alkenylphenyl isocyanide) of ethanethiol instead of tri-n-butyltin hydride. The 2-stannylindole intermediates proved to be a suitable substrate for Stille coupling, giving 2,3-disubstituted indoles in a one-pot procedure. In addition, the 2-stannylindole intermediates could be converted to 2-iodoindoles by treatment with iodine or N-iodosuccinimide. The 2-iodoindoles thus obtained served as good substrates for Heck reactions, Stille couplings, Suzuki couplings, and palladium-mediated carbonylations, to afford a variety of 2,3-disubstituted indoles. The utility of this protocol was demonstrated by application to synthetic studies on gelsemine and discorhabdin A, and the total synthesis of an aspidosperma alkaloid, (-)-vindoline.     

Electrochemical Tri- and Difluoromethylation-Triggered Cyclization Accompanied by the Oxidative Cleavage of Indole Derivatives

Considering their unique roles in organic synthesis, and pharmaceutical and agrochemical applications, the development of fluoroalkylation, cyclization, and indole oxidative cleavage are important topics. Herein, an unprecedented electrochemical tri- and difluoromethylation/cyclization/indole oxidative cleavage process occurring in an undivided cell is presented. The protocol employs a readily prepared Langlois reagent as the fluoroalkyl source, affording a series of tri- or difluoromethylated 2-(2-acetylphenyl)isoquinoline-1,3-diones in good yields with excellent stereoselectivity. It is worth noting that this new methodology merges the fluoroalkylation/cyclization of N-substituted acrylamide alkenes with the oxidative cleavage of an indole C(2)=C(3) bond under external oxidant-free conditions.     

Double C?H Functionalization in Sequential Order: Direct Synthesis of Polycyclic Compounds by a Palladium‐Catalyzed C?H Alkenylation–Arylation Cascade

Palladium‐catalyzed cascade C? H alkenylation and arylation provides convenient access to polycyclic aromatic compounds. Treatment of 3‐bromoaniline derivatives bearing a bromocinnamyl group on the nitrogen atom with a catalytic amount of [Pd(OAc)₂] and PCy₃?HBF₄ in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ in dioxane affords naphthalene‐fused indole derivatives in good yields. This double cyclization reaction is also applicable to heterocyclic substrates, giving fused indoles containing a heteroaromatic ring such as dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, carbazole, indole, or benzofuran through heterocyclic C? H arylation. When using a 2,6‐unsubstituted aniline derivative, the first C? H arylation preferentially proceeds at the more hindered position of the aniline ring.     

Platinum-catalyzed intramolecular alkylation of indoles with unactivated olefins

Reaction of 1-methy-2-(4-pentenyl)indole (1) with a catalytic amount of PtCl2 (2 mol %) in dioxane that contained a trace of HCl (5 mol %) at 60 degrees C for 24 h led to the isolation of 4,9-dimethyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazole (2) in 92% yield. Platinum-catalyzed cyclization of 2-(4-pentenyl)indoles tolerated substitution at each position of the 4-pentenyl chain. Furthermore, the protocol was applicable to the synthesis of tetrahydro-beta-carbolinones and was effective for cyclization of unprotected indoles. 2-(3-Butenyl)indoles underwent platinum-catalyzed cyclization with exclusive 6-endo-trig regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies established a mechanism for the platinum-catalyzed cyclization of 2-alkenyl indoles involving nucleophilic attack of the indole on a platinum-complexed olefin.     

Double C-H functionalization in sequential order: direct synthesis of polycyclic compounds by a palladium-catalyzed C-H alkenylation-arylation cascade

Palladium-catalyzed cascade C-H alkenylation and arylation provides convenient access to polycyclic aromatic compounds. Treatment of 3-bromoaniline derivatives bearing a bromocinnamyl group on the nitrogen atom with a catalytic amount of [Pd(OAc)(2)] and PCy(3)·HBF(4) in the presence of Cs(2)CO(3) in dioxane affords naphthalene-fused indole derivatives in good yields. This double cyclization reaction is also applicable to heterocyclic substrates, giving fused indoles containing a heteroaromatic ring such as dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, carbazole, indole, or benzofuran through heterocyclic C-H arylation. When using a 2,6-unsubstituted aniline derivative, the first C-H arylation preferentially proceeds at the more hindered position of the aniline ring.     

Samarium diiodide induced cyclizations of γ-, δ- and ε-indolyl ketones: reductive coupling, intermolecular trapping, and subsequent transformations of indolines

This comprehensive study describes our results of samarium diiodide induced 5-exo-trig to 8-exo-trig cyclization/alkylation sequences of 3'-acceptor-substituted indolyl ketones. All cyclization precursors were easily prepared by simple N-alkylation or N-acylation of indole derivatives with the corresponding iodo alkanones, acid chlorides, or lactones. After treatment of indolyl ketones with two equivalents of SmI(2), the generated stabilized carbanionic intermediates were trapped with different electrophiles leading to a variety of highly substituted indoline derivatives in good to very good yields. In general, the cyclization products were obtained as single diastereomers bearing a newly generated quaternary center, a common structural motif in various indole alkaloids. The relative configurations of the products were established by NOE experiments and by single-crystal analysis and follow the rules already established. Furthermore, the obtained products were subjected to a series of chemical transformations, such as oxidation, reduction, and metathesis reactions resulting in a range of interesting synthetic building blocks valuable for further applications.     

Iron-Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation of Indole-Tethered Alkene Enables Synthesis of CF3-Containing Spiroindolenines and Tetrahydrocarbazoles

An iron-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of indole-tethered alkene with Togni's reagent to construct CF₃-containing spiro[indole-3,3′-pyrrolidine] and tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives under mild and convenient conditions has been disclosed. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceed through a CF₃ radical addition to the alkene, followed by sequential dearomatizing spiocyclization of the indole and oxidation to afford the spiro[indole-3,3′-pyrrolidine] derivatives. Meanwhile, when the substituent at the C2 position of the indole is hydrogen, the CF₃-containing tetrahydrocarbazole is obtained through trifluoromethylation of alkene and cyclization of indole.     

Cu(I)-catalyzed cascade intramolecular cyclization of 2-propynol phenyl azides and diarylphosphine oxides for the synthesis of bisphosphorylated indole derivatives

The [Cu(OTf)]₂·C₆H₆ catalyzed cascade intermolecular addition–intramolecular cyclization reaction of easily prepared 2-propynol phenyl azides and diarylphosphine oxides was developed. This novel reaction leads to simultaneous formation of one C–N and two C–P bonds in a single step to give bisphosphorylated indole derivatives under mild conditions in moderate to good yields.     

Thermal-Induced Dimerization Cyclization of Ethyl N-(Styrylcarbamoyl)acetates: Formation of 4-Hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridone-3- carboxamide Derivatives

Thermal-induced dimerization cyclization of ethyl N-(styrylcarbamoyl)acetate derivatives has been investigated, leading to 4-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridone-3-carboxamide derivatives with good yields in diphenyl ether on 200–210 °C. Ethyl N-(styrylcarbamoyl)acetate derivatives readily provided the intermolecular cyclization products 4-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridone-3-carboxylates on reflux in xylene. In addition, several related 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-5-phenylpyridin-2(1H)-ones have been prepared. It provided an efficient preparation of 4-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridone-3-carboxamide derivatives.     

A facile regiocontrol in the palladium-catalyzed annulation of fluorine-containing internal alkynes with variously substituted 2-iodoanilines: a new regioselective synthesis of 2- or 3-fluoroalkylated indole derivatives

Treatment of various types of fluoroalkylated alkynes with o-iodoaniline in the presence of Pd(PPh(3))(4) in DMF at 80 degrees C for 8 h mainly gave 2-fluoroalkylated indoles in high yields. The use of P(o-Tol)(3) instead of PPh(3) as a ligand led to the preferential formation of 3-fluoroalkylated indoles in high yields. Interestingly, the reaction of trifluoromethylated alkynes bearing a benzylic substituent afforded 2- or 3-trifluoroethylated indole derivatives in good yields.     

A facile method for the synthesis of polycyclic indole derivatives: the generation and reaction of tungsten-containing azomethine ylides

Treatment of N-(o-alkynylphenyl)imine derivatives with W(CO)(5)(L) induces the 5-endo-mode of cyclization of the imine nitrogen onto the electrophilically activated alkyne moiety to afford a novel reactive species, a metal-containing azomethine ylide. [3 + 2] cycloaddition of this ylide species with various electron-rich alkenes proceeds smoothly to give unstable carbene complexes, which in turn undergo 1,2-hydrogen-, alkyl-, and aryl-migration to afford in good yield 6-5-5 tricyclic indole skeletons having an alkyl or an aryl substituent at the 3-position of the indole nucleus.     

Synthesis of indole derivatives from N-alkenyl-o-chloroanilines with zero-valent nickel complex

Reaction of N-alkenyl-o-chloroanilines in toluene with tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)nickel (0) was carried out mainly to give indole and indoline derivatives in good yields. A detailed analysis of the reaction products has been done and it allows us to confirm the postulated mechanism of the cyclization reaction. Torsional hindrance around the N? C? Csp² bond seems to prevent the cyclization reaction.     

A detailed study of the intramolecular hydroamination of N-(ortho-alkynyl)aryl-N'-substituted trifluoroacetamidines and bromodifluoroacetamidines

The intramolecular hydroamination of N-(ortho-alkynyl)aryl-N'-substituted trifluoroacetamidines and bromodifluoroacetamidines is studied in detail. When the substituents on the alkyne fragment are aryl and alkyl groups, 5-endo-dig cyclization occurs utilizing NaAuCl(4)·2H(2)O as a catalyst, while 6-exo-dig cyclization proceeds in the presence of K(2)CO(3) as a base. Interestingly, the indole derivatives are afforded with good regioselectivity via a 5-endo-dig pathway catalyzed by Cu(OAc)(2) when ortho-ethynyl appears on the aryl substituent of the amidine. The electrophilic cyclization of the amidines also shows good regioselectivity under the I(2)/NaHCO(3) system. At the end, a facile cascade synthesis of fluorinated quinazolones is described via hydroamination/ozonolysis from the corresponding amidine.     

Synthesis of substituted indolizino[8,7-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]indoles from harmine and their biological activity

The reaction of harmine with phenacyl bromides or ethyl bromoacetate gives quaternized harmine derivatives. The cyclization of the phenacylharminium salts yields the corresponding 2-aryl-11H-indolizino[8,7-b]indoles. Vilsmaier-Haack formylation of 11H-indolizino[8,7-b]indoles leads to the corresponding 3,10-bisformyl derivatives. The acylation proceeds selectively at C(3) to give 3-acetyl-2-aryl-11H-indolizino[8,7-b]indole.     

Efficient, one-pot transformation of indoles into functionalized oxindole and spirooxindole systems under Swern conditions

The reaction of indole derivatives bearing a 3- or 4-hydroxyalkyl chain with dimethylsulfoxide and oxalyl chloride under Swern conditions led to a one-pot, three-component process involving three different synthetic transformations, namely oxidation of indole to oxindole, introduction of a chlorine substituent at the oxindole C-3 position and substitution of the hydroxyl group in the side chain by chlorine, in good to excellent overall yields. The same conditions, applied to a 2-methylindole, afforded a 2-formylindole derivative oxidized at its side chain. The reaction starting from one indole with a 2-hydroxyalkyl chain furnished 3-(2-hydroxyalkyl)oxindoles. Finally, application of the Swern conditions to derivatives of indole-3-propionic or -butyric acid afforded 3-spirooxindole lactones.     

N-alkenyl indoles as useful intermediates for alkaloid synthesis

A mild cross-coupling reaction to access several N-alkenyl-substituted indoles has been developed. The coupling procedure involves treating a NH-indole with various alkenyl bromides using a combination of 10 mol % of copper(I) iodide and 20 mol % of ethylenediamine as the catalyst in dioxane at 110 °C in the presence of K(3)PO(4) as the base. When treated with acid, these unique enamines produce a dimeric product derived from a preferred protonation reaction at the enamine π-bond. A cationic cyclization reaction of the readily available 2-(2-(1H-indol-1-yl)allyl)cyclopentanol was utilized to construct tetracyclic indole derivatives with a quaternary stereocenter attached to the C(2)-position of the indole ring. An alternative strategy for selective functionalization at the C(2)-position of a N-alkenyl-substituted indole derivative that was also studied involves a radical cyclization of a xanthate derivative. The work described provides an attractive route to the tetracyclic core of some vinca alkaloids, including the tetrahydroisoquinocarbazole RS-2135.