Recent progress in the total synthesis of Strychnos alkaloids

The recent synthetic approaches toward Strychnos alkaloids are summarized, including novel synthetic methodologies and strategies.

Heat- or light-induced acylarylation of unactivated alkenes towards 3-(α-acyl) indolines

A heat- or photoredox/iron dual catalysis-enabled rare example of radical acylation across unactivated alkenes with aldehydes.

Harnessing interrupted Fischer in continuous flow: sustainable synthesis of (spiro)indolenine and (spiro)indoline privileged scaffolds

3,3-Disubstituted indolenines are obtained via a green and sustainable flow chemistry protocol for interrupted Fischer indolisation reactions.

Access to N-unprotected 2-amide-substituted indoles from Ugi adducts via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of o-iodoanilines bearing furan rings

A variety of N-unprotected 2-amide-substituted indoles were synthesized from readily available furfural-based Ugi adducts in moderate to good yields via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of o-iodoanilines bearing furan rings. These reactions involved a cascade sequence consisting of dearomatizing arylation, opening of the furan ring, and deprotection of the N atom.

A variety of N-unprotected 2-amide-substituted indoles were synthesized from readily available furfural-based Ugi adducts in moderate to good yields via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of o-iodoanilines bearing furan rings.

Lewis or Brønsted acid-catalysed reaction of propargylic alcohol-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes with indoles and pyrroles for the preparation of polycyclic compounds tethered with indole or pyrrole motif

We developed a facile synthetic method to access the cyclopenta[b]naphthalene skeleton from Lewis or Brønsted acid-catalysed propargylic alcohol-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes with indole and pyrrole derivatives.

Copper-Catalyzed Alkylarylation of Unactivated Alkenes: Synthesis of 3-Alkyl Indolines from N-Allyl Anilines and Alkanes

A rare example of C(sp³ )-H functionalization of simple alkanes with unactivated alkenes is presented. In the presence of a copper salt and di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP), N-allyl anilines underwent exo-selective alkylation/cyclization cascade with unactivated alkenic bonds as radical acceptors and simple alkanes as radical precursors, providing a direct access to 3-alkyl indolines. The present protocol features simple operation, broad substrate scope and great exo selectivity.

Benzylarylation of N-Allyl Anilines: Synthesis of Benzylated Indolines

An unprecedented benzylic C-H functionalization of methyl arenes across unactivated alkenes is presented. In the presence of MnCl₂·4H₂O and di- tert-butyl peroxide, N-allyl anilines underwent benzylation/cyclization cascade to give benzylated indolines, which are a previously unmet synthetic goal. This protocol features simple operation, broad substrate scope, and great exo selectivity.

Stereoselective Construction of Methylenecyclobutane-Fused Indolines through Photosensitized [2+2] Cycloaddition of Allene-Tethered Indole Derivatives

Irradiation of 1-(hexa-4,5-dienoyl)indole derivatives in the presence of an aromatic ketone by a high-pressure mercury lamp through Pyrex glass gave the corresponding cyclized products stereoselectively in high yields. The major part of the products was an all- cis-fused methylenecyclobutane-type compound produced through [2+2] cycloaddition, accompanied by small amounts of alkynes via 1,5-hydrogen transfer of a biradical intermediate. Among a range of aromatic ketones, 3',4'-dimethoxyacetophenone was found to sensitize the substrate quite effectively.

[6π] Photocyclization to cis-Hexahydrocarbazol-4-ones: Substrate Modification, Mechanism, and Scope

Upon irradiation at λ = 366 nm, tertiary N-alkoxycarbonyl-N-aryl-β-enaminones furnished exclusively the trans-hexahydrocarbazol-4-ones by a conrotatory [6π] photocyclization but epimerized on silica to cis-hexahydrocarbazol-4-ones (14 examples, 44–98% yield). The acceptor substitution on the nitrogen atom enhanced the stability of the cyclized products compared to N-alkyl-N-aryl-β-enaminones reported previously. The mechanism of the [6π] photocyclization was investigated by quenching experiments, deuterium-labeling experiments, and DFT calculations, suggesting a triplet pathway for the conrotatory ring closure followed by a suprafacial [1,4] hydrogen migration.

Copper-catalyzed nitrene transfer/cyclization cascade to synthesize 3a-nitrogenous furoindolines and pyrroloindolines

Copper-catalyzed nitrene transfer for amination/cyclization of tryptophols and tryptamines to generate the corresponding indole alkaloids in good to excellent yields was successfully developed.

A Pd-catalyzed domino Larock annulation/dearomative Heck reaction

A highly efficient synthesis of indolines from N-bromobenzoyl o-iodoanilines and alkynes is developed via a domino Larock annulation/dearomative Heck reaction.

4-Aminoindoles as 1,4-bisnucleophiles for diversity-oriented synthesis of tricyclic indoles bearing 3,4-fused seven-membered rings

A straightforward access to tricyclic indoles bearing 3,4-fused seven-membered rings was established by using 4-aminoindoles as 1,4-bisnucleophiles in three-component reactions.