Palladium-Catalyzed Imidoylative Cyclization of Tryptophan-Derived Isocyanides: Access to β-Carbolines

C1 Functionalization of β-Carboline via Knochel-Hauser Base-Directed Metalation and Negishi Coupling

The synthesis of C1-functionalized β-carbolines from N-Boc norharman is described. Substitution is realized by employing the Knochel-Hauser base (TMPMgCl·LiCl) followed by transmetalation with ZnCl2 and subsequent Negishi cross-coupling of the resulting organozinc species. A variety of aryl or heteroaryl bromides participated in this one-pot reaction sequence, allowing for rapid diversification of the β-carboline scaffold in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction protocol has been applied to the synthesis of natural alkaloids nitramarine, nitraridine, eudistomin U, and perlolyrine.

Palladium-catalyzed cascade cyclization of isocyanides with di-(o-iodophenyl)sulfonylguanidines: access to heterocyclic fused quinazolines

A palladium-catalyzed cascade cyclization reaction of di-o-iodophenyl sulfonylguanidines with isocyanides for the efficient and selective synthesis of 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic fused quinazolines has been developed. Diverse functional groups are well tolerated, and this method has been successfully applied to a larger scale synthesis.

Radical-Initiated Dearomative Annulation of Tryptamine-Derived Isocyanides: Selective Synthesis of CF3-Substituted β-Aza-spiroindolines and β-Carbolines

A mild approach for synthesizing CF3-substituted β-aza-spiroindolines and β-carbolines from tryptamine-derived isocyanides via site-selective radical annulations has been reported. The crucial role of C2 substituents in the selective annulation process has been clarified. The approach shows good generality and practical applicability, highlighting its effectiveness and versatility.

One-Pot Total Synthesis of Natural Products Nitramarine, Nitraridine, and Analogues via a Cascade Oxidation/Pictet-Spengler Condensation/Annulation Process

A cascade oxidation/Pictet-Spengler condensation/annulation process has been developed for the one-pot total synthesis of nitramarine, nitraridine, and their analogues. The procedure proceeded with easily available quinolines and tryptophan derivatives. A simple and metal-free approach, wide substrate scope, and functional group tolerance make it applicable for the synthesis of diverse bioactive nitramarine, nitraridine, and their derivatives. Furthermore, the bioactivity evaluation has identified two promising leading compounds 5d and 5e with potent antitumor proliferative activity against breast cancer cells.

Recyclable gold(I)-catalyzed heterocyclization of ynamides with benzyl or indolyl azides towards 2-aminoindoles or 3-amino-β-carbolines

A highly efficient heterogeneous gold(I)-catalyzed heterocyclization of ynamides with benzyl or indolyl azides has been achieved in 1,2-dichloroethane under mild conditions via a heterogenized α-imino gold carbene intermediate using 5 mol% of SBA-15-anchored strongly hindered NHC-gold(I) complex [IPr-SBA-15-AuNTf2] as the catalyst, delivering a wide range of valuable 2-aminoindoles or 3-amino-β-carbolines in mostly good to excellent yields with high regioselectivity. Furthermore, the new heterogenized NHC-gold(I) complex displays the same catalytic activity as IPrAuNTf2 and is facile to recover by centrifugation of the reaction mixture and can be reused at least seven times without any appreciable drop in its catalytic activity.

Mining for a new class of fungal natural products: the evolution, diversity, and distribution of isocyanide synthase biosynthetic gene clusters

The products of non-canonical isocyanide synthase (ICS) biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) mediate pathogenesis, microbial competition, and metal-homeostasis through metal-associated chemistry. We sought to enable research into this class of compounds by characterizing the biosynthetic potential and evolutionary history of these BGCs across the Fungal Kingdom. We amalgamated a pipeline of tools to predict BGCs based on shared promoter motifs and located 3800 ICS BGCs in 3300 genomes, making ICS BGCs the fifth largest class of specialized metabolites compared to canonical classes found by antiSMASH. ICS BGCs are not evenly distributed across fungi, with evidence of gene-family expansions in several Ascomycete families. We show that the ICS dit1/2 gene cluster family (GCF), which was prior only studied in yeast, is present in ∼30% of all Ascomycetes. The dit variety ICS exhibits greater similarity to bacterial ICS than other fungal ICS, suggesting a potential convergence of the ICS backbone domain. The evolutionary origins of the dit GCF in Ascomycota are ancient and these genes are diversifying in some lineages. Our results create a roadmap for future research into ICS BGCs. We developed a website (https://isocyanides.fungi.wisc.edu/) that facilitates the exploration and downloading of all identified fungal ICS BGCs and GCFs.

Mining for a New Class of Fungal Natural Products: The Evolution, Diversity, and Distribution of Isocyanide Synthase Biosynthetic Gene Clusters

The products of non-canonical isocyanide synthase (ICS) biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) have notable bioactivities that mediate pathogenesis, microbial competition, and metal-homeostasis through metal-associated chemistry. We sought to enable research into this class of compounds by characterizing the biosynthetic potential and evolutionary history of these BGCs across the Fungal Kingdom. We developed the first genome-mining pipeline to identify ICS BGCs, locating 3,800 ICS BGCs in 3,300 genomes. Genes in these clusters share promoter motifs and are maintained in contiguous groupings by natural selection. ICS BGCs are not evenly distributed across fungi, with evidence of gene-family expansions in several Ascomycete families. We show that the ICS dit1 / 2 gene cluster family (GCF), which was thought to only exist in yeast, is present in ∼30% of all Ascomycetes, including many filamentous fungi. The evolutionary history of the dit GCF is marked by deep divergences and phylogenetic incompatibilities that raise questions about convergent evolution and suggest selection or horizontal gene transfers have shaped the evolution of this cluster in some yeast and dimorphic fungi. Our results create a roadmap for future research into ICS BGCs. We developed a website ( www.isocyanides.fungi.wisc.edu ) that facilitates the exploration, filtering, and downloading of all identified fungal ICS BGCs and GCFs.

Synthesis of Azepinoindoles via Pd-Catalyzed C(sp2)-H Imidoylative Cyclization Reactions

An efficient and convenient method for the construction of diverse free (N-H)-benzazepinoindoles by Pd-catalyzed C(sp²)-H imidoylative cyclization of 3-(2-isocyanobenzyl)-1H-indoles was developed. The reaction shows a wide substrate scope and can be scaled up, providing a practical route to valuable bioactive azepinoindoles.

Iridium-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral C2 and C3 Dual C-H Functionalization of Indoles with Nitrones toward 7H-Indolo[2,3-c]quinolines

An iridium-catalyzed redox-neutral C-2 and C-3 dual C-H functionalization of indoles with nitrones has been developed, furnishing a range of 7H-indolo[2,3-c]quinolines with high efficiency and regioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. Notably, sequential multiple C-H bond cleavage and C-C bond formation constitute the key events of this process, in which nitrone serves as a building block and an oxidant. Distinct from the previous methods toward 7H-indolo[2,3-c]quinolines, this newly developed reaction features readily available substrates, operational simplicity, broad scope, good to high efficiency, and excellent regioselectivity.

Palladium-catalysed imidoylative spirocyclization of 3-(2-isocyanoethyl)indoles

A palladium-catalysed construction of spiroindolines through dearomative spirocyclization of 3-(2-isocyanoethyl)indoles has been developed. 2'-Aryl-, vinyl-, and alkyl-substituted spiroindolines could be accessed under mild conditions with excellent functional group tolerance. C1-tethered oxindole- and indole-spiroindoline bisheterocycles were generated in high yields via alkene/allene insertion and an imidoylative spirocyclization cascade. Additionally, a tandem dearomatization of two different indoles was realized with N-(2-bromobenzoyl)indoles as the electrophilic coupling partner of 3-(2-isocyanoethyl)indoles, affording polyindoline - spiroindoline bisheterocyclic scaffolds conveniently. Under the catalysis of Pd(OAc)₂ and a spinol-derived phosphoramidite ligand, chiral spiroindolines were successfully accessed with up to 95% yield and 85% ee.

Construction of 2-alkynyl aza-spiro[4,5]indole scaffolds via sequential C-H activations for modular click chemistry libraries

Herein, we have developed a strategy of sequential C-H activations of indole to construct novel 2-alkynyl aza-spiro[4,5]indole scaffolds, which incorporated both alkyne and spiro-units into indole. Gram-scale synthesis and a one-pot, three-step synthesis demonstrated the utility of this protocol. Hybrid conjugates with an oseltamivir derivative further offered a powerful tool for the construction of a versatile spiroindole-containing library via click chemistry.

Marine Alkaloid Pityriacitrin and Its Analogues: Discovery, Structures, Synthetic Methods and Biological Properties

Pityriacitrin is a natural marine alkaloid with a typical β-carboline scaffold, and which has been demonstrated to exhibit diverse biological functions. The special structural features for pityriacitrin lead to the increasing research interest and the emergence of versatile derivatives, and many pityriacitrin analogues have been isolated or synthesized over the past decades. The structural diversity and evolved biological activity of these natural alkaloids can offer opportunities for the development of highly potential novel drugs with a new mechanism of action, and therefore, the aim of this brief review is to describe the discovery, synthesis, and biological properties of natural pityriacitrin and its derivatives, as well as the isolation source.

PhI(OAc)2-mediated intramolecular oxidative C-N coupling and detosylative aromatization: an access to indolo[2,3-b]quinolines

A PIDA mediated intramolecular oxidative C–N coupling and subsequent detosylative aromatization to afford indolo[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives has been developed. This tandem reaction provided an efficient method for the synthesis of valuable indolo[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives.

Under mild conditions, PIDA mediated oxidant C–N coupling to afford indolo[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives has been developed with a decent substrate scope.

Advances in palladium-catalysed imidoylative cyclization of functionalized isocyanides for the construction of N-heterocycles

Palladium-catalysed isocyanide insertion reactions have witnessed great progress in recent years. In particular, imidoylative cyclization of functionalized isocyanides was successfully developed by taking advantage of the adjustable substituents on the isocyano group, opening a new avenue to access a variety of nitrogen-containing heterocycles. In this review article, we summarize the advances of functionalized isocyanide insertion reactions and highlight the breakthroughs of enantioselective palladium catalysed imidoylation reactions by using this strategy. Additionally, copper-catalysed cyclization reactions of functionalized isocyanides are briefly discussed.

Benzannulation strategies for the synthesis of carbazoles, indolocarbazoles, benzocarbazoles, and carbolines

This review presents a critical and authoritative analysis of several exciting benzannulation approaches developed in the past decade for the construction of carbazoles, indolocarbazoles, benzocarbazoles, and carbolines.

Recent Advances in Palladium-Catalyzed Isocyanide Insertions

Isocyanides have long been known as versatile chemical reagents in organic synthesis. Their ambivalent nature also allows them to function as a CO-substitute in palladium-catalyzed cross couplings. Over the past decades, isocyanides have emerged as practical and versatile C1 building blocks, whose inherent N-substitution allows for the rapid incorporation of nitrogeneous fragments in a wide variety of products. Recent developments in palladium catalyzed isocyanide insertion reactions have significantly expanded the scope and applicability of these imidoylative cross-couplings. This review highlights the advances made in this field over the past eight years.

Palladium-Catalyzed Amination/Dearomatization Reaction of Indoles and Benzofurans

This report describes a palladium-catalyzed dearomatization and amination tandem reaction of 2,3-disubstituted indoles and benzofurans via the Catellani strategy. This reaction provides a new method for the construction of amino-substituted indoline-fused cyclic and benzofuran spiro compounds in good yields. The reaction has broad functional group compatibility and substrate scope.

Palladium-catalysed dearomative aryl/cycloimidoylation of indoles

The first example of a dearomative palladium-catalysed isocyanide insertion reaction has been developed using functionalized isocyanides as the reaction partner of N-(2-bromobenzoyl)indoles. The imidoyl-palladium intermediate generated by tandem indole double bond/isocyanide insertion reactions could be trapped by intramolecular functional groups such as the C(sp2)-H bond and alkenes, affording diversified indoline derivatives bearing C3 imine-containing heterocycles. The dearomative aryl/cycloimidoylation of indoles proceeded smoothly in good to excellent yields with a wide functional group tolerance.

Access to 1-amino-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines via palladium-catalyzed C-H bond aminoimidoylation reaction from functionalized isocyanides

Efficient access to 1-amino-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines, through palladium-catalyzed intramolecular C-H bond aminoimidoylation of α-benzyl-α-isocyanoacetates, has been developed. Consecutive isocyanide insertion and C-H bond activation were realized with C-N and C-C bonds formation in one step under redox neutral conditions, employing O-benzoyl hydroxylamines as electrophilic amino sources.

Metal-free propargylation/aza-annulation approach to substituted β-carbolines and evaluation of their photophysical properties

An efficient acid-catalyzed propargylation/aza-annulation sequence was developed under metal-free reaction conditions, thus leading to a one-pot synthesis of a variety of substituted β-carbolines starting from propargylic alcohols and indole 2-carbonyls. This versatile strategy was further extended to the synthesis of 5-azaindoles and 5-azabenzothiazoles. Optical properties suggested that manipulation of electron donor and acceptor moieties on β-carbolines has an impact on their ground and excited state electronic behavior. This leads to blue or green emission and should facilitate the development of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Electrochemical and stability studies revealed that 4a-6 shows ease of redox activity and photostability during illumination.

Thio radical-induced denitrogenative annulation of 1-azido-2-isocyanoarenes to construct 2-thiolated benzimidazoles

A method for the synthesis of 2-thiolated benzimidazoles is described starting from thiols and 1-azido-2-isocyanoarenes. The isocyano group works as an acceptor of various thio radicals, followed by denitrogenative annulation of the resulting imidoyl radical intermediates to the azido group, with nitrogen loss as the only process involving high bond-forming efficiency. The one-pot method for the synthesis of these products with high functional group tolerance in the benzimidazole-based ring is not available in previous literature.

Pd-Catalyzed C(sp2)-H Imidoylative Annulation: A General Approach To Construct Dibenzoox(di)azepines

A general method to construct the scaffolds of dibenzooxazepine and dibenzodiazepine, through Pd-catalyzed isocyanide insertion and intramolecular C(sp²)-H activation, has been developed. This is the first example of seven-membered heterocycle formation by C-H imidoylative annulation.

Cascade double isocyanide insertion and C-N coupling of 2-iodo-2'-isocyano-1,1'-biphenyls

A palladium-catalyzed double isocyanide insertion using 2-iodo-2'-isocyano-1,1'-biphenyls followed by copper-catalyzed intramolecular C-N coupling, delivering a unique heterocyclic structure containing both phenanthridine and carbazole scaffolds, has been developed. In this cascade process, four chemical bonds, including two C-C, one C-O, and one C-N bonds are formed consecutively without isolating an intermediate. The strategy of using a functionalized isocyanide in double insertion provides a quick approach for constructing heterocyclic systems with high bond-forming efficiency.

Access to 2-substituted 1-pyridin-3-yl-β-carboline derivatives by intramolecular radical cyclization-ring opening-SNAr substitution

A new method for the synthesis of 1-pyridin-3-yl-β-carboline derivatives involving an intramolecular radical reaction and S_NAr substitution, is described.

A Unified Strategy for the Synthesis of β-Carbolines, γ-Carbolines, and Other Fused Azaheteroaromatics under Mild, Metal-Free Conditions

An efficient, unified approach for the synthesis of β-carbolines, γ-carbolines, and other fused azaheteroaromatics has been realized under metal-free conditions, from propargylic amines and (hetero)aromatic aldehydes. This unified strategy provides β- and γ-carbolines as well as a range of fused azaheteroaromatics with a broad substrate scope and excellent functional group compatibility. The formal synthesis of oxopropalines D and G has been achieved on gram scale (3a), in a one-pot reaction from commercially available materials (previous shortest reported route to 3a was 5 steps). NMR studies of the conversion of imine intermediate 3aa to β-carboline 3a were conducted and revealed that the reaction proceeded through an allene intermediate.