New Applications of Indium Catalysts in Organic Synthesis

Synthesis and structural features of indium(III) furan-2-thiocarboxylates showing efficient catalytic activity toward multicomponent reactions via Knoevenagel condensation

A series of furan-2-thiocarboxylate complexes of indium(III), Et3NH[In(SCOf)4] (1), iPr2NH2[In(SCOf)4] (2), [In(2,2'-bipy)(SCOf)3] (3a), and [In(1,10-phen)(SCOf)3] (3b), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex 4, [In(TMEDA)(SCOf)(SH)2], was obtained by the partial hydrolysis of [In(TMEDA)(SCOf)3] (3). Heterobimetallic complexes [(SCOf)2In(μ-SCOf)2Cu(PPh3)2] (5) and [(SCOf)2In(μ-SCOf)2Ag(PPh3)2] (6), were also synthesized and characterized. In an attempt to synthesize the binary compound, In(SCOf)3 (7), a thioester fCOSCH2SCOf (8) was obtained serendipitously; thus, a novel convenient approach for thioester synthesis is introduced. The catalytic activities of all the complexes were assessed for Knoevenagel condensation and Knoevenagel initiated MCRs for the synthesis of chromene and imidazopyrimidine derivatives and it was found that complex 2 is a very efficient catalyst (much superior to the previously reported ones).

Indium(III)-Catalyzed Stereoselective Synthesis of Tricyclic Frameworks by Cascade Cycloisomerization Reactions of Aryl 1,5-Enynes

The indium(III)-catalyzed cascade cycloisomerization reaction of 1,5-enynes with pendant aryl nucleophiles is reported. The reaction proceeds in cascade under mild reaction conditions, using InI₃ (5 mol %) as a catalyst with a range of 1,5-enynes furnished with aryl groups (phenyl and phenol) at alkene (E and Z isomers) and with terminal and internal alkynes. Using 1-bromo-1,5-enynes, a one-pot sequential indium-catalyzed cycloisomerization and palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with triorganoindium reagents were developed. The double cyclization is stereospecific and operates via a biomimetic cascade cation-olefin through 1,5-enyne cyclization (6-endo-dig) and subsequent C-C hydroarylation or C-O phenoxycyclization. Density functional theory (DFT) computational studies on 1,5-enynyl aryl ethers support a two-step mechanism where the first stereoselective 1,5-enyne cyclization produces a nonclassical carbocation intermediate that evolves to the tricyclic reaction product through a S_EAr mechanism. Using this approach, a variety of tricyclic heterocycles such as benzo[b]chromenes, phenanthridines, xanthenes, and spiroheterocyclic compounds are efficiently synthesized with high atom economy.

A Simple Homoleptic Gallium(I) Olefin Complex: Mimicking Transition-Metal Chemistry at a Main-Group Metal?

The earth-metal olefin complex [GaI (COD)2 ]+ [Al(ORF )4 ]- (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene; RF =C(CF3 )3 ) constitutes the first homoleptic olefin complex of any main-group metal accessible as a bulk compound. It is straight forward to prepare in good yield and constitutes an olefin complex of a main-group metal that-similar to many transition-metals-may adopt the +1 and +3 oxidation states opening potential applications. Crystallographic-, vibrational- and computational investigations give an insight to the atypical bonding between an olefin and a main-group metal. They are compared to classical transition-metal relatives.

Metal Triflate-Promoted Allylic Substitution Reactions of Cinnamyl Alcohol in the Presence of Orthoesters and Acetals

The product distribution of ethers formed from the reaction of cinnamyl alcohol with orthoesters in the presence of indium (III) triflate (InOTf)3 is dependent on both the reaction temperature and catalyst loading. Carrying out the reaction at room temperature under low loadings of the catalyst leads to a facile reaction generating the unexpected secondary allyl ether as the major product. In contrast, carrying out the reaction under higher catalyst loadings at elevated temperatures provides the expected primary linear ether in high yield and with excellent selectivity. The etherification reaction is also effective in the presence of acetals and ketals in place of orthoesters and allows for the development of the procedure to encompass a telescoped etherification protocol in which the acetal is generated in situ.

Diastereoselective Construction of 2-Aminoindanones via an In(OTf)3-Catalyzed Domino Reaction

An In(OTf)₃-catalyzed domino reaction involving sequential oxidative ring opening of aziridines by using the solvent dimethyl sulfoxide and intramolecular Michael addition has been developed for the modular synthesis of 2-aminoindanone compounds by the formation of one new C═O bond and one new C-C bond. The notable feature of this strategy includes broad substrate scope, excellent trans-diastereoselectivities, highly functionalized products, and mild conditions. The catalyst In(OTf)₃ plays an important role in the formation of the indanone ring.

Indium(iii) as π-acid catalyst for the electrophilic activation of carbon–carbon unsaturated systems

This review focuses on indium(iii) as a π-acid for the activation of C–C unsaturated systems (alkynes, alkenes, and allenes) in organic synthesis.

Scope and advances in the catalytic propargylic substitution reaction

Nucleophilic displacement of the propargylic alcohol is one of the sought-after methods in the current scenario. The highly nucleophilic alkyne functional moiety along with its considerably acidic terminal hydrogen atom allows the propargylic unit to play a crucial role in organic synthesis by offering a handle for further synthetic transformations. Until 2000, the most fundamental propargylic substitution reaction was the Nicolas reaction, a multi-step transformation, developed in 1972, which involved cobalt as a stoichiometric promoter. Therefore, the direct catalytic substitution of propargylic alcohols was a highly desirable method for development. The pioneering work on the Ru-catalyzed propargylic substitution reaction in 2000 encouraged many researchers to develop several novel catalytic propargylic substitution reactions, which have made rapid progress since then. The purpose of this review is to emphasise the involvement of diverse types of Lewis acid, transition metal and Brønsted acid catalysts in the propargylic substitution reaction and provide an updated summary of the recent developments in this field. The selected examples presented here are the most significant and relevant ones and we believe that this will help the readers to comprehend the scope of the propargylic substitution reaction with diverse types of catalysts and will envisage the scientific community for the future developments in this field.

Direct nucleophilic displacement of the alpha-hydroxy of the propargylic alcohol is one of the sought-after methods in the current scenario. An updated summary of the recent developments in this field is presented here.

Indium-catalyzed C(sp3)–H functionalization of 2-methylazaarenes through direct benzylic addition to trifluoromethyl ketones

The application of InCl₃ for the catalytic C(sp³)–H functionalization of 2-methylazaarenes leading to trifluoromethylated alcohols in up to 99% yield.

Indium triflate-catalyzed stereoselective tandem intramolecular conjugate addition of secondary amines to α,β-bisenones

We report an indium triflate-catalyzed stereoselective intramolecular tandem conjugate addition of secondary amines to α,β-bisenones to afford a 1,2,3-trisubstituted six-membered ring bearing diketone substituents in good to excellent yields at room temperature.

Indium(III) triflate — a catalyst for greener aromatic alkylation reactions

An environmentally friendly method for alkylating aromatic compounds with simple alcohols in the presence of a catalytic amount of indium(III) triflate is reported. Ionic liquids are used as solvents and energy-efficient heating is provided by microwave radiation. Good yields are obtained with benzyl, secondary, and tertiary alcohols. Simple primary alcohols are not effective alkylating agents under these conditions. With tertiary alcohols, activated aromatic compounds such as toluene and anisole must be used to obtain good yields. The catalyst, which is immobilized in a water-insoluble ionic liquid, can be easily recycled without significant loss of activity.

Multicomponent assembly of 2-amino-4-substituted 4H-chromenes using cyclic Michael donors

An efficient one-pot synthesis has been disclosed to access a series of 2-amino-4-substituted 4H-chromenes from salicylaldehyde, malononitrile, and a few cyclic nucleophiles using indium trichloride as a catalyst. This methodology affords high yields of products in a shorter reaction time.

InCl3: an Airstable and Water-Tolerant Catalyst for the Selective Synthesis of 5-Aryl Tetrazole

5-Phenyl-1-H tetrazole was synthesized by catalytic [3+2] cycloaddition with benzonitrile and sodium azide. Indium trichloride was used as an efficient catalyst.

Using In(III) as a promoter for glycosylation

InCl(3), InBr(3), and In(OTf)(3) were tested as promoters in the preparation of glycosides from trichloroacetimidate precursors. A range of protecting groups and of alcohol acceptors were used to determine the versatility of these promoters. Disaccharide formation was demonstrated. In most cases, the In(III) compounds were shown to promote glycosylation better than the widely used promoter BF(3)·OEt(2).

Selective formation of six-membered oxa- and carbocycles by the In(III)-activated ring closure of acetylenic substrates

Fifteen examples are disclosed of efficient In(III)-catalyzed six-membered ring closure leading to bi-, tri-, and tetracyclic products.