Highly efficient synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes in water

The enhanced ultrafast dissociation of meso-hydrogen of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives under acidic conditions

Bis(indolyl)methane (BIM) derivatives are an important class of molecules that have shown vivid applications. The photo dynamics of BIM derivatives has been studied through ultrafast spectroscopy. It has been observed that the acidic medium plays a vital role in governing the spectral characteristics of BIMs, imputing to the ambivalent nature of BIMs under acidic conditions. We noticed that the dissociation of meso-hydrogen is enhanced under acidic conditions, while no such enhancement is observed under alkaline and neutral conditions. We further perceived that the dissociation of meso-hydrogen takes precedence over the dissociation of N-H bonds, even in an acidic medium. Quantum chemical calculations support the experimental observations. Although the functionalisation with electron-withdrawing or electron-donating groups seems to affect photophysical properties such as spectral shift, quantum yield, etc., tuning the acidic medium plays a significant role.

Catalytic Efficacy of a 2D Chemically Robust MOF for the Synthesis of Bioactive Diindolylmethane (DIM)-Based Drug Molecules

Synthesis of biologically and pharmaceutically important drugs via organic transformations in one pot under mild conditions with efficient catalysts is of significant interest in terms of practical utility. Though metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) prove their efficiencies in various catalytic reactions, synthesis of drug molecules employing MOF catalysts is still in its early stage, in fact, restricted to only 1,4-Dihydropyridines (1,4-DHP) based drug molecules synthesis. Although the Friedel-Crafts alkylation (FCA) reaction is one of the oldest reactions with a significant impact on drug molecules synthesis, surprisingly this reaction triggered by MOF catalyst is largely unexplored. Herein, we report a robust framework, MOF: IITKGP-55, synthesized solely in aqueous medium, which exhibits its superior catalytic efficiencies for one-pot FCA reaction with the well tolerance of various substrate scopes. Most importantly, based on this catalytic reaction, three drug molecules with bioactive diindolylmethane (DIM) core are synthesized for the first time, which was never realized by employing any sort of heterogeneous catalysts. Moreover, Arundine drug is crystallized and an in-depth crystallographic analysis is performed. The superior catalytic efficiencies with excellent framework robustness highlight the potentiality of the developed framework and unwrap a new avenue for drug molecule synthesis via FCA reaction by employing heterogeneous catalysts.

A macrocycle-based new organometallic nano-vessel towards sustainable C2-selective arylation of free indole in water

C2-selectivity of unsubstituted indole over facile C3-substitution is attempted by utilizing the π-cavity of a nano-vessel made up of a palladium complex of an amino-ether heteroditopic macrocycle. Functional group tolerance (cyano, nitro, halo, ester, etc.), a broad substrate scope and outstanding selectivities with excellent yields (80-93%) of the desired products have been achieved in 12 h by maintaining all sustainable conditions like aqueous medium, recyclable catalyst, one-pot reaction, no external additives, mild temperature, etc. Interestingly, we observed that electron-deficient indole derivatives underwent the present transformation with marginally superior reactivity in comparison with electron-rich indole derivatives. This approach establishes a green pathway for selective C-C coupling employing a π-cavitand as a nano-reactor.

Friedel-Crafts arylation of aldehydes with indoles utilizing arylazo sulfones as the photoacid generator

A versatile, inexpensive and sustainable protocol for the preparation of valuable bis-indolyl methanes via visible light-mediated, metal-free Friedel-Crafts arylation has been developed. The procedure, that exploits the peculiar behavior of arylazo sulfones as non-ionic photoacid generators (PAGs), was applied to the conversion of a variety of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes into diarylmethanes in good to highly satisfactory yields, employing a low-catalyst loading (0.5 mol%) and irradiation at 456 nm.

Increased catalytic activity through ZnMo7O24/g-C3N4 heterostructured assemblies for greener indole condensation reaction at room temperature

As an economical conjugated polymer, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has recently attracted much attention due to its exciting chemical and thermal stability and easy availability. Herein, we constructed a metal-coordinated graphitic carbon nitride (M-g-C3N4) catalyst through simple impregnation and calcination methods and used it as a new heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient synthesis of bis (indolyl) methanes and trisindolines under mild conditions. This reaction is performed efficiently in water as an environmentally friendly solvent at ambient conditions. The ZnMo7O24/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was synthesized by a simple method by immobilizing Mo7O24(NH4)6·4H2O and ZnCl2 on the surface of g-C3N4 under hydrothermal conditions. It was characterized by FT-IR, EDS, and electronic scanning microscopy (SEM). The metal doping of Mo and Zn on the surface of graphitic carbon nitride leads to the formation of a green catalyst that gives good to excellent yields of products in short reaction times with an easy working procedure. In addition, the ZnMo7O24/g-C3N4 catalyst could be reused at least five runs without apparent loss of efficiency.

Uncatalyzed Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Indole-substituted Methane Derivatives via One-pot Multicomponent Reactions under Solvent-free Conditions

Abstract:

For the first time, one-pot multicomponent reactions containing indole, aromatic aldehydes, and dimedone have been achieved in the absence of a catalyst under solvent-free conditions. A class of unsymmetrical indole-substituted methane derivatives and symmetrical diindolylmethanes has been synthesized through this green organic synthetic method. Based on experimental results, a reasonable mechanism for this condensation is emphasized here.

Bis-indolylation of aldehydes and ketones using silica-supported FeCl3: molecular docking studies of bisindoles by targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease binding sites

We report herein an operationally simple, efficient and versatile procedure for the synthesis of bis-indolylmethanes via the reaction of indoles with aldehydes or ketones in the presence of silica-supported ferric chloride under grindstone conditions. The prepared supported catalyst was characterized by SEM and EDX spectroscopy. The present protocol has several advantages such as shorter reaction time, high yield, avoidance of using harmful organic solvents during the reaction and tolerance of a wide range of functional groups. Molecular docking studies targeted toward the binding site of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro or Mpro) enzymes were investigated with the synthesized bis-indoles. Our study revealed that some of the synthesized compounds have potentiality to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro enzyme by interacting with key amino acid residues of the active sites via hydrophobic as well as hydrogen bonding interactions.

Organocatalyzed Heterocyclic Transformations In Green Media: A Review

Background:

Since the discovery of metal-free catalysts or organocatalysts about twenty years ago, a number of small molecules with different structures have been used to accelerate organic transformations. With the development of environmental awareness, to obtain highly efficient scaffolds, scientists have directed their studies towards synthetic methodologies that minimize or preferably eliminate the formation of waste, avoid toxic solvents and reagents and use renewable starting materials as far as possible.

Methods:

In this connection, the organocatalytic reactions providing efficiency and selectivity for most of the transformations have become an endless topic in organic chemistry since several advantages from both practical and environmental standpoints. Organocatalysts contributing to the transformation of reactants into products with the least possible waste production, have been serving the concept of green chemistry.

Results and Conclusion:

Organocatalysts have been classified based on their binding capacity to the substrate with covalent or noncovalent interactions involving hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction. Diverse types of small organic compounds including proline and its derivatives, phase-transfer catalysts, (thio)urease, phosphoric acids, sulfones, N-oxides, guanidines, cinchona derivatives, aminoindanol, and amino acids have been utilized as hydrogen bonding organocatalysts in different chemical transformations.

Lewis acid-catalyzed double addition of indoles to ketones: synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes with all-carbon quaternary centers

We report herein a Lewis acid-catalyzed nucleophilic double-addition of indoles to ketones under mild conditions. This process occurs with various ketones ranging from dialkyl ketones to diaryl ketones, thereby providing access to an array of bis(indolyl)methanes bearing all-carbon quaternary centers, including tetra-aryl carbon centers. The products can be transformed into bis(indole)-fused polycyclics and bis(indolyl)alkenes.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Bisindolylmethanes from Indoles and Ethers

An electrochemical bisindolylation of ethers was developed. Carried out under ambient conditions and in the absence of any chemical oxidants, this reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility.

Synthesis of Bis(indolyl)methanes Using Hyper-Cross-Linked Polyaromatic Spheres Decorated with Bromomethyl Groups as Efficient and Recyclable Catalysts

Highly uniform and hyper-cross-linked polyphenanthrene and polypyrene microspheres were synthesized by Friedel-Crafts bromomethylation of phenanthrene (Phn) and pyrene (Py) in the presence of zinc bromide as a catalyst, followed by self-polymerization of bromomethylated Phn and Py. The resultant 3-D carbon microspheres consisting of micro-, meso-, and macropores bear peripheral unreacted bromomethyl groups, which are directly utilized as catalysts to efficiently promote the electrophilic substitution reaction of indoles with aldehydes to yield a variety of bis(indolyl)methanes. The important features of this catalysis are easy catalyst synthesis, high product yields, environmental benignity, short reaction time, broad substrate scope, use of nontoxic solvents, and recyclability.

Solvent-Free Addition of Indole to Aldehydes: Unexpected Synthesis of Novel 1-[1-(1H-Indol-3-yl) Alkyl]-1H-Indoles and Preliminary Evaluation of Their Cytotoxicity in Hepatocarcinoma Cells

New 1-[1-(1H-indol-3-yl) alkyl]-1H-indoles, surprisingly, have been obtained from the addition of indole to a variety of aldehydes under neat conditions. CaO, present in excess, was fundamental for carrying out the reaction with paraformaldehyde. Under the same reaction conditions, aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes afforded only classical bis (indolyl) aryl indoles. In this paper, the role of CaO, together with the regiochemistry and the mechanism of the reaction, are discussed in detail. The effect of some selected 3,3′- and 1,3′-diindolyl methane derivatives on cell proliferation of the hepatoma cell line FaO was also evaluated.

Propylsulfonic acid-anchored isocyanurate-based periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO-ICS-Pr-SO3H): A new and highly efficient recoverable nanoporous catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives

A new propylsulfonic acid-anchored isocyanurate bridging periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO-ICS-Pr-SO₃H) was prepared and shown to be a highly efficient recyclable nanoporous catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives in good to excellent yields from indole and different aldehydes in EtOH under mild reaction conditions in short reaction times. Moreover, the nanoporous catalyst was recovered and reused at least four times without significant decrease in its catalytic activity. The PMO-ICS-Pr-SO₃H catalyst was characterizred by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms techniques as well as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Compared to the classical methodologies, this method illustrated significant advantages including low loading of the catalyst, high to excellent yields, short reaction times, avoiding the use of toxic transition metals or reactive reagents for modification of the catalytic activity, easy separation and purification of the products, and reusability of the catalyst.

Synthesis of the first magnetic nanoparticles with a thiourea dioxide-based sulfonic acid tag: application in the one-pot synthesis of 1,1,3-tri(1H-indol-3-yl) alkanes under mild and green conditions

Synthesis of the first thiourea dioxide-based silica-coated Fe₃O₄magnetic nanoparticles as an exquisite, extraordinary and effective catalyst for the synthesis of 1,1,3-tri(1H-indol-3-yl) alkane derivatives.

Synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of some 3,3′-bisindolyl(aryl)methanes

A series of 3,3′-bisindolyl(aryl)methanes were synthesized and fully characterized by a combination of¹H and¹³C NMR spectroscopy and in one case using X-ray crystallography.

Synthesis and characterization of a tetracationic acidic organic salt and its application in the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes and protection of carbonyl compounds

A new tetracationic acidic organic salt (TCAOS) based on DABCO was prepared, characterized and applied as an eco-friendly, powerful and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes and acetals with high turnover frequency (TOF).

Sulfonic acid-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as a recyclable and eco-friendly catalyst for atom economical Michael addition reactions and bis indolyl methane synthesis

Sulfonic acid-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as a recyclable and eco-friendly catalyst for atom economical Michael addition reaction and bis indolyl methane synthesis.

Facile synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes catalyzed by α-chymotrypsin

A mild and efficient method catalyzed by α-chymotrypsin was developed for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes through a cascade process between indole and aromatic aldehydes. In the ethanol aqueous solution, a green medium, a wide range of aromatic aldehydes could react with indole to afford the desired products with moderate to good yields (from 68% to 95%) using a little α-chymotrypsin as catalyst.

Preparation and characterization of a novel Wells-Dawson heteropolyacid-based magnetic inorganic-organic nanohybrid catalyst H6P2W18O62/pyridino-Fe3O4 for the efficient synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols under solvent-free conditions

A novel magnetic inorganic-organic nanohybrid material H6P2W18O62/pyridino-Fe3O4 (HPA/TPI-Fe3O4) was fabricated and performed as an efficient, eco-friendly, and highly recyclable catalyst for the solvent-free, one-pot, and multi-component synthesis of various substituted 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols from the reaction of β-naphthol, an aldehyde, and benzamide with good to excellent yields (47-94%) and in a short span of time (25-60 min). The nanohybrid catalyst was prepared by the chemical anchoring of Wells-Dawson heteropolyacid H6P2W18O62 onto the surface of modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles with N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]isonicotinamide (TPI) linker. The magnetically recoverable catalyst was easily recycled at least eight times without any loss of catalytic activity. XRD, TEM, UV-vis, and FTIR confirmed that the heteropolyacid H6P2W18O62 is well dispersed on the surface of the solid support and its structure is retained after immobilization on the pyridine modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles. This protocol is developed as a safe and convenient alternate method for the synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols utilizing an eco-friendly, and a highly reusable catalyst.

Discovery of 3,3'-diindolylmethanes as potent antileishmanial agents

An efficient protocol for synthesis of 3,3'-diindolylmethanes using recyclable Fe-pillared interlayered clay (Fe-PILC) catalyst under aqueous medium has been developed. All synthesized 3,3'-diindolylmethanes showed promising antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani promastigotes as well as axenic amastigotes. Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that nitroaryl substituted diindolylmethanes showed potent antileishmanial activity. The 4-nitrophenyl linked 3,3'-diindolylmethane 8g was found to be the most potent antileishmanial analog showing IC50 values of 7.88 and 8.37 μM against both L. donovani promastigotes and amastigotes, respectively. Further, a pharmacophore based QSAR model was established to understand the crucial molecular features of 3,3'-diindolylmethanes essential for potent antileishmanial activity. These compounds also exhibited promising antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, wherein fluorophenyl substituted 3,3'-diindolylmethanes were found to be most potent antifungal agents. Developed synthetic protocol will be useful for economical and eco-friendly synthesis of potent antileishmanial and antifungal 3,3'-diindolylmethane class of compounds.

Synthesis of bisindolylmethanes and their cytotoxicity properties

Polymer supported dichlorophosphate (PEG-OPOCl₂) is an efficient green catalyst for the electrophilic substitution reaction of indole with aromatic aldehydes, in neat condition, to afford an excellent yield of bis(indolyl) methanes with short reaction time, at room temperature. The synthesized compounds and their anti-cancer activity are evaluated.