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.     

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.     

Direct photo-induced reductive Heck cyclization of indoles for the efficient preparation of polycyclic indolinyl compounds

The photo-induced cleavage of C(sp²)–Cl bonds is an appealing synthetic tool in organic synthesis, but usually requires the use of high UV light, photocatalysts and/or photosensitizers. Herein is described a direct photo-induced chloroarene activation with UVA/blue LEDs that can be used in the reductive Heck cyclization of indoles and without the use of a photocatalyst or photosensitizer. The indole compounds examined display room-temperature phosphorescence. The photochemical reaction tolerates a panel of functional groups including esters, alcohols, amides, cyano and alkenes (27 examples, 50–88% yields), and can be used to prepare polycyclic compounds and perform the functionalization of natural product analogues in moderate to good yields. Mechanistic experiments, including time-resolved absorption spectroscopy, are supportive of photo-induced electron transfer between the indole substrate and DIPEA, with the formation of radical intermediates in the photo-induced dearomatization reaction.

Metal- and photocatalyst-free reductive Heck cyclization of indoles under light irradiation was developed and used to prepare polycyclic compounds and functionalize natural product analogues in moderate to good yields.     

Solid-phase synthesis of indolecarboxylates using palladium-catalyzed reactions

Polymer-supported, palladium-catalyzed cyclization reactions effectively synthesized indolecarboxylates. Palladium-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions of immobilized enaminoesters followed by transesterification yielded indole 2- or 3-carboxylates with various functional groups on the benzene ring. Indolecarboxylates were efficiently cyclized via an intramolecular palladium-catalyzed amination reaction of immobilized N-substituted dehydrohalophenylalanines, and immobilized N-acetyl-dehydroalanines were efficiently converted into indolecarboxylates via tandem Heck-amination reactions.     

Dragmacidin E synthesis studies. Preparation of a model cycloheptannelated indole fragment

[reaction: see text] The conversion of N-2,2-dichloropropionyl indole methyl ester into a tetracyclic cycloheptannelated indole model compound for the synthesis of dragmacidin E was accomplished in 10 steps. Key reactions include a Witkop cyclization to fashion a C-C bond at C(4) of the indole nucleus and a subsequent Dieckmann cyclization to deliver the desired cycloheptanoid ring.     

Synthesis of fused imidazoles, pyrroles, and indoles with a defined stereocenter α to nitrogen utilizing Mitsunobu alkylation followed by palladium-catalyzed cyclization

Nitrogen-containing fused heterocycles comprise many compounds that demonstrate interesting biological activities. A new synthetic approach involving Mitsunobu alkylation of imidazoles, pyrroles, and indoles followed by palladium-catalyzed cyclization has been developed providing access to fused heterocycles with a defined stereochemistry α to nitrogen. While ethyl imidazole or indole carboxylates are good substrates for Mitsunobu alkylation with optically pure secondary benzylic alcohols, the corresponding pyrroles are poor substrates presumably due to the increased pK(a) of the NH. The presence of a synthetically versatile trichloroacetyl functional group on the pyrroles significantly reduces the pK(a) and thereby facilitates Mitsunobu alkylation. Subsequent cyclization of the alkylated products mediated by palladium in the presence or absence of a ligand gave fused heterocycles in good to excellent yields.     

General and efficient indole syntheses based on catalytic amination reactions

[reaction: see text] Highly flexible and efficient syntheses of the indole backbone are presented starting from o-alkynylhaloarenes. These transformations proceed via a palladium- or a copper-catalyzed amination reaction and a subsequent cyclization reaction in good to excellent yields. Furthermore, a multicatalytic one-pot indole synthesis starting from o-chloroiodobenzene is viable using a single catalyst consisting of an N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complex and CuI.     

Brønsted Acid‐Catalyzed Cascade Reactions Involving 1,2‐Indole Migration

A cascade reaction of indoles with propargylic diols involving an unprecedented metal‐free 1,2‐indole migration onto an alkyne was carried out. DFT calculations support a mechanism consisting of a concerted nucleophilic attack of the indole nucleus with loss of water, followed by the 1,2‐migration and subsequent Nazarov cyclization. This Brønsted acid‐catalyzed protocol affords indole‐functionalized benzofulvene derivatives in high yields.     

12-Acylindolo[1,2-c]quinazolines by palladium-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation of o-alkynyltrifluoroacetanilides

6-Trifluoromethyl-12-acylindolo[1,2-c]quinazolines are prepared in high yield through the palladium-catalyzed reaction of bis(o-trifluoroacetamidophenyl)acetylene with aryl or vinyl halides and triflates. The reaction, which tolerates a variety of important functional groups, probably involves the formation of a 3-acyl-2-(o-trifluoroacetamidophenyl)indole intermediate, followed by its cyclization to the indoloquinazoline product. [reaction: see text]     

Palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization of N-aryl imines: indole synthesis from anilines and ketones

We report here an operationally simple, palladium-catalyzed cyclization reaction of N-aryl imines, affording indoles via the oxidative linkage of two C-H bonds under mild conditions using molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant. The process allows quick and atom-economical assembly of indole rings from inexpensive and readily available anilines and ketones and tolerates a broad range of functional groups.     

The diazo route to diazonamide A. Studies on the indole bis-oxazole fragment

[structure: see text] Various approaches to the indole bis-oxazole fragment of the marine secondary metabolite diazonamide A are described, all of which feature dirhodium(II)-catalyzed reactions of diazocarbonyl compounds in key steps. Thus, 3-bromophenylacetaldehyde is converted into an alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester, dirhodium(II)-catalyzed reaction of which with N-Boc-valinamide resulted in N-H insertion of the intermediate rhodium carbene to give a ketoamide that readily underwent cyclodehydration to give (S)-2-(1-tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2-methylpropyl]-5-(3-bromobenzyl)oxazole-4-carboxamide, after ammonolysis of the initially formed ester. This aryl bromide was then coupled to a 3-formyl-indole-4-boronate under Pd catalysis to give the expected biaryl. Subsequent conversion of the aldehyde group into a second alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester gave a substrate for an intramolecular carbene N-H insertion, although attempts to effect this cyclization were unsuccessful. A second approach to an indole bis-oxazole involved an intermolecular rhodium carbene N-H insertion, followed by oxazole formation to give (S)-2-[1-tert-(butoxycarbonylamino)-2-methylpropyl]-5-methyloxazole-4-carboxamide. A further N-H insertion of this carboxmide with the rhodium carbene derived from ethyl 2-diazo-3-[1-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)indol-3-yl]-3-oxopropanoate gave a ketoamide, cyclodehydration of which gave the desired indole bis-oxazole. Finally, the boronate formed from 4-bromotryptamine was coupled to another diazocarbonyl-derived oxazole to give the corresponding biaryl, deprotection and cyclization of which produced a macrocyclic indole-oxazole derivative. Subsequent oxidation and cyclodehydration incorporated the second oxazole and gave the macrocyclic indole bis-oxazole.     

Tandem radical addition reactions to substituted indoles under atom-transfer and oxidative conditions

The dimethyl methylmalonyl radical was generated upon photolysis of dimethyl bromomethylmalonate or treatment of dimethyl methylmalonate with Mn(OAc)₃·2 H₂O. This radical was added to an exocyclic olefin appended to 1-acyl or 3-acyl indoles, with subsequent cyclization to generate 1,2- or 2,3- fused indole derivatives, respectively.     

A new asymmetric synthesis of (+)-12b-epidevinylantirhine

We report a new asymmetric synthesis of the indole alkaloid derivative (+)-12b-epidevinylantirhine through stereoselective cyclization of a tethered indole nucleus onto an N-acyliminium ion intermediate, generated from a readily available non-racemic bicyclic lactam building block, and subsequent template modification through a highly diastereoselective conjugate addition protocol. In addition, we present the first X-ray crystal structure of this indole target.     

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.     

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.     

A new strategy toward indole alkaloids involving an intramolecular cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade

The intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction between an amidofuran moiety tethered onto an indole component was examined as a strategy for the synthesis of Aspidosperma alkaloids. Furanyl carbamate 23 was acylated using the mixed anhydride 26 to provide amidofuran 22 in 68% yield. Further N-acylation of this indole furnished 27 in 88% yield. Cyclization precursors were prepared by removing the carbamate moiety followed by N-alkylation with the appropriate alkyl halides. Large substituent groups on the amido nitrogen atom causes the reactive s-trans conformation of the amidofuran to be more highly populated, thereby facilitating the Diels-Alder cycloaddition. The reaction requires the presence of an electron-withdrawing substituent on the indole nitrogen in order for the cycloaddition to proceed. Treatment of N-allyl-bromoenamide 48 with n-Bu(3)SnH/AIBN preferentially led to the 6-endo trig cyclization product 50, with the best yield (91%) being obtained under high dilution conditions. The initially generated cyclohexenyl radical derived from 48 produces the pentacyclic heterocycle 50 by either a direct 6-endo trig cyclization or, alternatively, by a vinyl radical rearrangement pathway.     

Diazonamide studies. A direct synthesis of the indole bis-oxazole fragment from tri- and tetra-peptides using biomimetic oxidative cyclizations

The oxidation of several readily prepared tryptophan containing tri- and tetrapeptides with DDQ results in a biomimetic cyclization and direct formation of the indole bis-oxazole fragment of diazonamide A, establishing that such a transformation is a viable route when considering the biosynthetic formation of the heterocyclic core of the natural product.     

Synthesis of 6-substituted 2-pyrrolyl and indolyl benzoxazoles by intramolecular O-arylation in photostimulated reactions

The synthesis of a series of 6-substituted 2-pyrrolyl and 2-indolyl benzoxazoles by photostimulated C-O cyclization of anions from 2-pyrrole carboxamides, 2-indole carboxamides, or 3-indole carboxamides has been found to proceed in good to excellent yields (41-100%) in DMSO and liquid ammonia. The pyrrole and indole carboxamides are obtained in good to very good isolated yields by an amidation reaction of different 2-haloanilines with 2-carboxylic acid of pyrrole and 2- or 3-carboxylic acid of indole. To explain the regiochemical outcome of these reactions (C-O arylation vs C-N or C-C arylation), a theoretical analysis was performed using DFT methods and the B3LYP functional.     

A study of vinyl radical cyclization using N-alkenyl-7-bromo-substituted hexahydroindolinones

A new method for the synthesis of the octahydropyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinoline ring system that possesses the characteristic skeleton of the aspidosperma family of alkaloids has been developed. The method utilizes an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of an amido-substituted furan across a tethered indole pi-bond. To apply this strategy to the synthesis of the indole alkaloid spegazzinidine, it was necessary to address the problem of assembling the final D-ring of the pentacyclic skeleton. Radical cyclization of a model N-allyl-7-bromo-3a-methylhexahydroindolinone system was found to preferentially lead to the 6-endo-trig cyclization product, with the best yield being obtained under high dilution conditions. The six-membered cyclized product is generated through two reaction pathways: (a) 6-endo-trig ring closure and (b) rearrangement of an intermediate methylene-cyclopentyl radical obtained by 5-exo-trig cyclization. A number of related 7-bromo-substituted hexahydroindolinones containing tethered olefinic groups were prepared and found to undergo efficient cyclization under both radical and palladium-mediated reaction conditions. Vinyl radical cyclization with several N-butenyl-substituted systems afforded a mixture of 6-exo and 7-endo cyclization products. A protocol to introduce an ethyl substituent into the C20-position of the aspidospermidine skeleton was also developed.     

Synthesis of indolo[2,3-a]quinolizine and hexahydro-1H-indolizino[8,7-b]indole derivatives by cascade condensation, cyclization, and Pictet-Spengler reaction: an application to the synthesis of (±)-harmicine

Synthesis of indole alkaloid related compounds using Schiff base formation, intramolecular cyclization (or N-alkylation), and Pictet-Spengler reaction as a cascade one pot condensation has been reported. The cascade chemistry has been applied to the synthesis of (±)-harmicine as a key step.