Novel SO3H-functionalized ionic liquids catalyzed a simple, green and efficient procedure for Fischer indole synthesis in water under microwave irradiation

Research progress on the structure and biological diversities of 2-phenylindole derivatives in recent 20 years

The privileged structure binds to multiple receptors with high affinity, which is helpful to the development of new bioactive compounds. Indole is classified as a privileged structure, which may be one of the most important structural categories in drug discovery. As a special subset of indole compounds, 2-phenylindole seems to be one of most promising forerunners of drug development. In this paper, 106 articles were referenced to review the structural changes, biological activities and structure-activity relationship of compounds in recent 20 years, and classified them according to their pharmacological activities, from several aspects, including anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiviral, anti-parasite, the biological activities target to central nervous system, et al. It also points out the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in discovery of new 2-phenylindole compounds in a broader prospect. This review will provide some ideas for researchers to develop new indole drugs.

Synthesis of N-containing heterocycles in water

An organic reaction with water as a medium has numerous benefits, like improvement in reactivities and selectivities, simple workup techniques, possibility of recycling the catalyst with milder reaction conditions and eco-friendly synthesis. Further, exploring of water as a reaction medium gives rise to unusual reactivities and selectivities, supplementing the organic chemist’s necessity for reaction media. This review focus on the use of water for the synthesis of Nitrogen-containing heterocycles covering from 2011 to 2021.

Microwave-Assisted Rapid Preparation of Mesoporous Phenolic Resin Nanospheres toward Highly Efficient Solid Acid Catalysts

A novel microwave-assisted polymerization and self-assembly protocol was developed to prepare ordered mesoporous phenolic resin (MPRN) with nanospherical morphology for the first time. This unique strategy dramatically saved the synthesis time about 2 days with an energy-efficient way. Owing to its abundant phenyl groups in the framework, it was easily transformed to benzenesulfonic acid-functionalized MPRN (SO₃H-MPRN) by simple sulfonation treatment. The obtained SO₃H-MPRN sample still possessed a large surface area, two-dimensional hexagonal mesoporous structure, and uniform spherical shape. Importantly, because of its intrinsic organic framework, the pore surface of SO₃H-MPRN was hydrophobic. Accordingly, it exhibited the excellent catalytic activity and selectivity in aqueous formaldehyde-participated Prins reaction and water-medium Fischer-indole reaction. On the basis of material characterizations and the control experiments, this remarkable catalytic performance could be ascribed to the synergetic effect derived from its short mesoporous channel and hydrophobic pore surface, which resulted in the decreased reactant diffusion limitation and the reduced water competitive adsorption. Also, it was stable in water because of the periodically arranged acid species in the resin framework and thus was easily recycled and used repetitively for at least five times.

N-Alkylated 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-Polyethylene Glycol Melt as Deep Eutectic Solvent for the Synthesis of Fisher Indoles and 1H-Tetrazoles

1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO)-based ionic liquids (ILs) 2-4 were synthesized by the N-alkylation of DABCO using alkyl halides of varying chain lengths (C₂, C₅, and C₇). The N-alkylated DABCO-ILs were mixed with polyethylene glycols (PEGs) of varying molar masses as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) to prepare new deep eutectic solvents (DESs). These DABCO-PEG-based DESs were successfully employed for the synthesis of a variety of indoles 7a-7h (by Fischer indole synthesis) and 1H-tetrazoles 9a-9i (by click chemistry). For comparison, DESs of DABCO-ILs with different alcohols (as HBD) were also prepared and investigated for the synthesis of indoles. Although comparable yields were observed in DES-containing alcohols and PEGs, the use of PEG as HBD in DES (as an alternative to alcohols) provides a much safer, nonvolatile, and environmentally benign reaction medium for synthetic reactions. The first successful application of PEG-polymer-based DES as benign reaction media for organic syntheses offers exciting opportunities to be explored in the realm of green synthesis.

Use of ionic liquids as neoteric solvents in the synthesis of fused heterocycles

Medicinal chemistry has been benefited by combinatorial chemistry and high-throughput parallel synthesis. Ionic liquids reduce the materials and energy intensity of chemical processes and products, minimize or eliminate the dispersion of harmful chemicals in the environment, maximize the use of renewable resources and extend the durability and recyclability of products. It is possible to tune the physical and chemical properties by varying the nature of the cations and anions. Ionic liquids can be easily recovered, cleaned up, and reused repeatedly.

SO3H-Functionalized Ionic Liquids-Catalyzed Facile and Efficient Procedure for Fischer Indole Synthesis under Ultrasound Irradiation

A facile and efficient synthesis of indole has been developed using ketones or cyclohexandiones with aryhydrazine hydrochlorides in 85% to 95% yields in water under ultrasound irradiation in the presence of Novel SO3H-functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) catalyst. Simple work-up procedure, environmentally friendly, inexpensive and non-toxic catalyst, shorter reaction times along with excellent product yields are the significant features of this practical method.