Synthesis of 2-CF3-indoles or 2-CF3-indolin-3-ones via anaerobic or aerobic reactions of N-phenylpyridin-2-amines with TFISYs

Presented herein is a condition-controlled selective synthesis of 2-CF3-indoles or 2-CF3-indolin-3-ones based on the anaerobic or aerobic reaction of N-phenylpyridin-2-amines with trifluoromethyl imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides (TFISYs). This work not only discloses a novel reaction mode of TFISYs, but also provides a robust protocol for the effective functionalization of aniline derivatives leading to the concise and selective assembly of indole-related scaffolds bearing a pharmaceutically privileged CF3 unit.

Microwave Promoted Tandem Reaction of Free Primary Arylamines with Diazo Compounds Under Metal-Free Condition in Water: Clean Synthesis of 2,2-Disubstituted 3-Oxindoles

Herein, a microwave promoted tandem reaction of free primary arylamines with diazo compounds in water for clean synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted 3-oxindoles is present. Water plays important roles in the whole cascade process: O-H insertion to diazo, air oxidation, ortho C-H functionalization, cyclization and 1,2-ester migration. In particular, water plays a mediation role in the site selective ortho-C-H addition.

Heteroannulation of Arynes with α-Bromodifluorohydroxamates: An Efficient and General Approach to Access 2,2-Difluoro Indoxyls

Herein, we report the first general approach to access N-alkoxy-2,2-difluoro indoxyls, via formal 3 + 2 cycloaddition of aryne and (putative) fluorinated-aza-oxyallyl cation. This transition-metal/oxidant-free transformation occurs under mild reaction conditions with a short reaction time. Mechanistic investigation indicates the possible involvement of the closed form of fluorinated-aza-oxyallyl cation, viz., α-lactam, in the current transformation.

One-Pot Synthesis of Indolin-3-ones Mediated by LiN(SiMe3)2/CsF

Indolin-3-ones are essential heterocycles with wide-ranging biological activities and medicinal values, and therefore, efficient approaches to their synthesis remain in demand. Herein, a novel and operationally simple method to generate indolin-3-ones is reported by using a tandem reaction of N-methylbenzylamines and methyl 2-fluorobenzoates mediated by the LiN(SiMe3)2 and CsF system (34 examples, 30-85% yields). The synthesis of C2-quaternary indolin-3-one further demonstrated the potential practicability of these tandem reactions.

Direct S0 → Tn Transition under Visible Light Irradiation Enabling Synthesis of a Pseudoindoxyl Scaffold

Pseudoindoxyl is a partial skeleton found in various natural products. Its light-absorption properties make it useful for the design of functional molecules. However, versatile synthesis methods have not yet been reported. In this report, we present a versatile synthetic method for pseudoindoxyls using the direct S0 → Tn transition under visible light irradiation. We also discuss the application of pseudoindoxyls as photocatalysts.

Dearomative oxyphosphorylation of indoles enables facile access to 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones

A highly efficient oxidative dearomatization of indoles with H-phosphorus oxides in the presence of TEMPO oxoammonium salt has been demonstrated. Through the intramolecular oxidative dearomatization of indoles and subsequent intermolecular nucleophilic addition with phosphorus nucleophile, a variety of structurally diverse arylphosphoryl and alkylphosphoryl indolin-3-ones were obtained in good yields with a broad substrate scope and high functional-group compatibility.

A solid-supported organocatalyst for asymmetric Mannich reaction to construct C2-quaternary indolin-3-ones

A simple and novel solid-supported organocatalyst from a 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin-immobilized 4-hydroxyproline was developed, and this organocatalyst has been used for the asymmetric Mannich reaction of 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones and aldehydes/ketones. A series of C2-quaternary indolin-3-ones were prepared in good yields (up to 83%) and with excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 20 : 1) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). In addition, the organocatalyst can be recovered by simple filtration and also be reused for the asymmetric Mannich reaction without significant loss of catalytic efficiency.

A simple and novel solid-supported organocatalyst from a 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin-immobilized 4-hydroxyproline was developed, which has been used for the asymmetric Mannich reaction of 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones and aldehydes/ketones.

Synthesis of Hydroxysuccinimide Substituted Indolin-3-ones via One-Pot Cascade Reaction of o-Alkynylnitrobenzenes with Maleimides under Au(III)-Cu(II) Relay/Synergetic Catalysis

Presented herein is a one-pot cascade reaction of o-alkynylnitrobenzenes with maleimides leading to the formation of hydroxysuccinimide substituted indolin-3-ones under Au(III)-Cu(II) relay/synergetic catalysis. Mechanistically, the formation of the title products involves an unprecedented cascade process including (1) nitro-alkyne cycloisomerization of o-alkynylnitrobenzene to give isatogen; (2) [3 + 2] dipolar cycloaddition of isatogen with maleimide; and (3) ring opening of the in situ formed isoxazolidine moiety under neutral conditions. Notably, a wide range of substrates bearing various functional groups are compatible with the reaction conditions to give a series of highly valuable hybrid compounds in good efficiency with excellent atom economy. In addition, the products thus obtained could be easily transformed into the corresponding maleimide substituted indolin-3-ones. Importantly, some products demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity in human cancer cell lines.

A general approach to 2,2-disubstituted indoxyls: total synthesis of brevianamide A and trigonoliimine C

The indoxyl unit is a common structural motif in alkaloid natural products and bioactive compounds. Here, we report a general method that transforms readily available 2-substituted indoles into 2,2-disubstituted indoxyls via nucleophile coupling with a 2-alkoxyindoxyl intermediate and showcase its utility in short total syntheses of the alkaloids brevianamide A (7 steps) and trigonoliimine C (6 steps). The developed method is operationally simple and demonstrates broad scope in terms of nucleophile identity and indole substitution, tolerating 2-alkyl substituents and free indole N-H groups, elements beyond the scope of most prior approaches. Spirocyclic indoxyl products are also accessible via intramolecular nucleophilic trapping.

Pd-catalyzed arylation/aza-Michael addition cascade to C2-spiroindolines and azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonanones

A palladium-catalyzed arylation/aza-Michael addition cascade reaction of β-substituted cyclic enones and 2-haloanilines has been reported. Using 1 mol% Pd(PPh₃)₄ as a catalyst, C2-spiroindolines are accessed via an intermolecular vinylogous arylation of β-alkyl cyclic enones and 2-haloanilines followed by an intramolecular aza-Michael addition. The functional group tolerance of this transformation is examined by 18 examples in up to 93% yield. In the second part, we developed an α'-arylation/aza-Michael addition cascade strategy to construct azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonanones catalyzed by Pd(MeCN)₂Cl₂·PPh₃. This study provides a quick route to complex and useful spiro- and bridged-heterocycles from readily available starting materials in good yields with high regioselectivity.

Oxidative Dearomative Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Indoles with Diverse C-H Nucleophiles: Efficient Approach to 2,2-Disubstituted Indolin-3-ones

The oxidative, dearomative cross-dehydrogenative coupling of indoles with various C-H nucleophiles is developed. This process features a broad substrate scope with respect to both indoles and nucleophiles, affording structurally diverse 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones in high yields (up to 99%). The oxidative dimerization and trimerization of indoles has also been demonstrated under the same conditions.

Oxidative Coupling of 3-Oxindoles with Indoles and Arenes

A highly efficient method for the oxidative coupling of 2-substituted 3-oxindoles with aromatic compounds to form 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones with broad scope is described. This work utilized oxygen as the terminal oxidant and a base-metal catalyst under mild conditions instead of toxic/precious-metal reagents and higher-molecular-weight oxidants. Quaternary structures were produced in modest-to-excellent yields (up to 96 %) without prefunctionalization.

Metal-free synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones

A straightforward method for the synthesis of indolin-3-ones bearing a C2-quaternary functionality is reported. This cross-coupling reaction allows the facile synthesis of a series of 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones in the absence of a metal catalyst in up to 94% yields.

Synthesis of C2-tetrasubstituted indolin-3-ones via Cu-catalyzed oxidative dimerization of 2-aryl indoles and cross-addition with indoles

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones under mild conditions has been developed. This reaction involves the copper-catalyzed in situ oxidative de-aromatization of 2-arylindoles to indol-3-one, followed by self-dimerization as well as cross-addition with indoles under mild conditions. The result generates a wide variety of C2-tetrasubstituted indolin-3-ones with good to high yields (62–82%).

A general protocol for the synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones has been developed through self-dimerization of 2-aryl indoles and cross-addition with indoles under mild Cu-catalyzed oxidative conditions with good to high yields.

Copper-Catalyzed Multicomponent Domino Reaction of 2-Bromobenzaldehydes, Aryl Methyl Ketones, and Sodium Azide: Access to 1 H-[1,2,3]Triazolo[4,5- c]quinoline Derivatives

A practical copper-catalyzed multicomponent reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 1 H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5- c]quinoline derivatives from commercially available 2-bromobenzaldehydes, aryl methyl ketones, and sodium azide. This protocol integrated consecutive base-promoted condensation, [3 + 2] cycloaddition, copper-catalyzed S_NAr, and denitrogenation cyclization sequences. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that CuBr₂ acted as a multifunctional catalyst to streamline this domino process. The mild catalytic system enabled effective construction of one C-C and four C-N bonds in one operation.

Copper-Catalyzed Radical Difluoroalkylation and Redox Annulation of Nitroalkynes for the Construction of C2-Tetrasubstituted Indolin-3-ones

An efficient and convenient method with wide applicability for the synthesis of C2-tetrasubstituted indolin-3-ones via copper-catalyzed redox cycloisomerization of nonprefunctionalized nitroalkynes has been developed. This protocol features simple operation, readily available starting materials, good functional group tolerance, broad scope, and diboron as the reductant.

Total syntheses of pyrroloazocine indole alkaloids: challenges and reaction discovery

Total syntheses of pyrroloazocine indole alkaloids (lapidilectines, grandilodines, lundurines and tenuisines) are discussed in terms of existing retrosynthetic solutions and novel reaction discoveries.

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric dearomative alkenylation of indoles through a reductive-Heck reaction

A highly enantioselective intramolecular dearomatizing olefination of indoles has been developed through a Pd-catalyzed reductive Heck reaction.

Chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed direct asymmetric mannich reaction of cyclicC-acylimines with simple ketones: facile access to C2-quaternary indolin-3-ones

A chiral Brønsted acid-catalyzed direct asymmetric Mannich reaction of simple ketones with cyclicC-acylimines has been established for the synthesis of C2-quaternary indolin-3-ones.

Palladium-catalyzed direct C(sp3)–H arylation of indole-3-ones with aryl halides: a novel and efficient method for the synthesis of nucleophilic 2-monoarylated indole-3-ones

A novel and efficient method for the synthesis of nucleophilic 2-monoarylated indole-3-ones via palladium-catalyzed direct C(sp³)–H arylation of indole-3-ones with aryl halides has been developed.

The Cs2CO3-Catalyzed Reaction of 2-Oxindoles with Enones for the Preparation of Indolin-3-Ones and Their Further Transformation

The Cs2CO3-catalyzed reaction of 2-oxindoles with enones affords 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones through domino "Michael addition-oxidation-ring-cleavage-C-N coupling" process. O2 acts as the sole oxidant to accomplish the oxidative process. The indolin-3-ones can be further transformed to pyridazine, azirdine-fused 3-oxindoles, 4-quinolone derivatives easily.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of quinoline derivatives via tandem Knoevenagel condensation, amination and cyclization

A novel regioselective synthesis of 2-aminoquinolines and 2-arylquinoline-3-carbonitriles is described via copper-mediated tandem reaction.

Radical perfluoroalkylation – easy access to 2-perfluoroalkylindol-3-imines via electron catalysis

Arylisonitriles react with alkyl and perfluoroalkyl radicals to form 2-alkylated indole-3-iminesviatwo sequential additions to the isonitrile moiety followed by homolytic aromatic substitution.

Cu-catalyzed sequential C–N bond formations: expeditious synthesis of tetracyclic indoloindol-3-ones

A sequence of 3 reactions in one-pot, SNAr, nitrene C–H insertion and Ullmann coupling, three C–N bond formations.

A copper catalyzed multicomponent cascade redox reaction for the synthesis of quinazolinones

A copper catalyzed multicomponent cascade redox reaction for the synthesis of various quinazolinones starting from easily available 2-bromobenzamides, benzylic alcohols and sodium azide as a nitrogen source has been developed.

Multi-site cyclization via initial C–H activation using a rhodium(iii) catalyst: rapid assembly of frameworks containing indoles and indolines

Tandem multi-site cyclization triggered by Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation has been achieved for highly efficient synthesis of spirocycle indolin-3-one (C2-cyclization), benzo[a]carbazole (C3-cyclization) and an unusual indoxyl core (N1-cyclization).