Kou S, Huo J, Wang Y, Sun S, Xue F, Mao J, Zhang J, Chen L, Walsh PJ. Synthesis of Indoles via Domino Reactions of 2-Methoxytoluene and Nitriles.
J Org Chem 2022;
88:5147-5152. [PMID:
36520533 DOI:
10.1021/acs.joc.2c02128]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
2-Arylindoles are privileged structures widely present in biologically active molecules. New sustainable synthetic routes toward their synthesis are, therefore, in high demand. Herein, a mixed base-promoted benzylic C-H deprotonation of commercially available ortho-anisoles, addition of the resulting anion to benzonitriles, and SNAr to displace the methoxy group provide indoles. A diverse array of 2-arylindoles is prepared with good yields (>30 examples, yields up to 99%) without added transition metal catalysts.
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