Synthesis of 3-substituted 2,3-dihydropyrazino[1,2-a]indol-4(1H)-ones by sequential reactions of 2-indolylmethyl acetates with α-amino acids†

The synthesis of 2,3-dihydropyrazino[1,2-a]indol-4(1H)-ones from the sequential reaction of amino acid methyl esters with readily available indole-2-ylmethyl acetates is described. The reaction proceeds in situ under basic conditions of highly unstable and reactive 2-alkylideneindolenines followed by Michael-type addition of α-amino acid methyl esters/intramolecular cyclization.

The synthesis of 2,3-dihydropyrazino[1,2-a]indol-4(1H)-ones through the in situ generation of 2-methide-2H-indole intermediate I starting from 2-indolylmethyl acetates under basic conditions/nucleophilic Michael addition/cyclization cascade reaction.

Enantio- and Regioselective Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Dioxygenation of (Aza-)Alkenols

An oxidative Pd-catalyzed intra-intermolecular dioxygenation of (aza-)alkenols has been reported, with total regioselectivity. To study the stereoselectivity, different chiral ligands as well as different hypervalent-iodine compounds have been compared. In particular, by using a C-6 modified pyridinyl-oxazoline (Pyox) ligand and hypervalent iodine bearing an aromatic ring, an excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity has been achieved.

Synthesis and Biological Activities of Pyrazino[1,2-a]indole and Pyrazino[1,2-a]indol-1-one Derivatives

This review concerns the synthesis and biological activities of pyrazino[1,2-a]indoles and pyrazino[1,2-a]indol-1-ones reported since 1997 and the discovery of biological activity of pyrazinoindole derivatives. In the first part, we first presented the synthetic routes that have been reported from a methodological point of view to access the pyrazinoindole unit according to cyclization reactions using or not using metal catalysts. Then, syntheses and neuropsychiatric, auto-immune, anti-infectious and anti-cancer properties of pyrazinoindoles were detailed. In the second part, we first reported the main accesses to pyrazinoindol-1-one substrates according to Michael reactions, metal-catalyzed and metal-free cyclization reactions. The syntheses and anti-cancer, anti-infectious, anti-allergenic and neuropsychiatric properties of pyrazinoindolones were next described and discussed.

Pd-Catalyzed Domino Reactions Involving Alkenes To Access Substituted Indole Derivatives

Palladium-catalyzed domino reactions are advanced tools in achieving various nitrogen-containing heterocycles in an efficient and economical manner due to the reduced number of steps in the process. This review highlights recent advances in domino processes aimed at the synthesis of indole derivatives and polycyclic systems containing the indole nucleus in intra/intra- or intra/intermolecular reactions. In particular, we consider domino processes that involve a double bond in a step of the sequence, which allow the issue of regioselectivity in the cyclization to be faced and overcome. The different sections in this review focus on the synthesis of the indole nucleus and functionalization of the scaffold starting from different substrates that have been identified as activated starting materials, which involve a halogenated moiety or unactivated unsaturated systems. In the former case, the reaction is under Pd(0) catalysis, and in the second case a Pd(II) catalytic species is required and then an oxidant is necessary to reconvert the Pd(0) into the active Pd(II) species. On the other hand, the second method has the advantage that it uses easy available and inexpensive substrates.

1 Introduction

2 Indole Scaffold Synthesis

2.1 Activated Substrates

2.2 Unactivated Substrates

3 Functionalization of Indole Scaffold

3.1 Activated Substrates

3.2 Unactivated Substrates

4 Conclusions

Pd-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Heck Cross-Coupling for the Straightforward Construction of Indole δ-Lactams

The [6.5.6]-tricyclic indole δ-lactam represents a common key intermediate for the synthesis of a broad variety of structurally intriguing indole alkaloids. The development of a method for the versatile and straightforward construction of such structural motif is of great importance for potential synthetic applications. Herein, we present a co-ligand-prompted Pd-catalyzed 6-exo-trig intramolecular cyclization of indolyl amides via the aerobic oxidative Heck cross-coupling. The method provided a general and efficient way for the construction of [6.5.6]-tricyclic indole δ-lactams. A mechanistic study suggests that a Pd^(I)/Pd^(III) catalytic cycle should be responsible for effective coupling, which represents a mechanistically alternative pathway when compared with the Pd⁽⁰⁾/Pd^(II) cycle proposed for other related coupling reactions.

Pd/Cu Cocatalyzed Oxidative Tandem C-H Aminocarbonylation and Dehydrogenation of Tryptamines: Synthesis of Carbolinones

The Pd/Cu cocatalyzed oxidative tandem C-H aminocarbonylation and dehydrogenation was developed, affording carbolinones with molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant. Natural product strychnocarpine and its derivatives were prepared conveniently using this strategy.

(CH3)2CuLi/Cu(OTf)2 Mediated N- or O-Cyclization of Urea-Tethered Cyclobuta[ b]indolines

A (CH₃)₂CuLi/Cu(OTf)₂ mediated N- or O-cyclization of urea-tethered cyclobuta[ b]indolines has been reported in this paper, giving a new synthetic protocol for the construction of pyrimido[1,6- a]indolone and cyclic imidate derivatives in moderate to good yields with a broad substrate scope under mild conditions. A plausible reaction mechanism has been also proposed on the basis of previous reports and the control experiments.

Intramolecular oxidative palladium-catalyzed diamination reactions of alkenyl sulfamates: an efficient synthesis of [1,2,5]thiadiazolo-fused piperazinones

A palladium-catalyzed diamination domino process of sulfamates arising from glycine allylamides is reported.

Copper(II)-Catalyzed Alkoxyhalogenation of Alkynyl Ureas and Amides as a Route to Haloalkylidene-Substituted Heterocycles

A highly effective synthesis of haloalkylidene-substituted heterocycles by copper(II)-catalyzed cyclization of alkynyl ureas and secondary amides has been developed. The reaction, which involves a catalytic amount of CuCl2 and a stoichiometric amount of N-halosuccinimide, occurs selectively through an alkoxyhalogenation process. Alternatively, alkoxychlorination and alkoxybromination reactions can be performed working solely with stoichiometric CuCl2 and CuBr2, respectively.

Copper promoted radical addition/cyclization of azobisisobutyronitrile with arylacrylamides: a convenient process to synthesize 3-(2′-cyano alkyl) oxindoles

A CuI promoted radical addition/cyclization of azobisisobutyronitrile with alkenes for the preparation of 3-(2′-cyano alkyl) oxindoles was developed.

Unusual 1,2-aryl migration in Pd(ii)-catalyzed aza-Wacker-type cyclization of 2-alkenylanilines

The discovery of an unprecedented 1,2-aryl migratory process in Pd(ii)-catalyzed aza-Wacker-type cyclization of 2-alkenylanilines that led to a novel synthesis of C3-substituted indoles is demonstrated.

CuX2-mediated oxybromination/aminochlorination of unsaturated amides: synthesis of iminolactones and lactams

A CuX₂-mediated halocyclization of γ,δ-unsaturated amides for the synthesis of functionalized iminolactones and lactams respectively is described.

Transition-metal-free oxidative carboazidation of acrylamides via cascade C–N and C–C bond-forming reactions

A novel transition-metal-free oxidative carboazidation of acrylamides using inexpensive NaN₃ and K₂S₂O₈ was achieved, which not only provided an efficient method to prepare various N₃-substituted oxindoles, but also represented a novel strategy for C–N and C–C bond formation via a free-radical cascade process.

Palladium(ii)-catalyzed intermolecular oxidative C-3 alkenylations of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines by substrate-contolled regioselective C–H functionalization

An efficient and highly regioselective palladium(ii)-catalyzed oxidative C-3 alkenylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with acrylate, acrylonitrile, or vinylarenes has been developed by using oxygen as an oxidant.

Recent advances in heterobimetallic palladium(ii)/copper(ii) catalyzed domino difunctionalization of carbon–carbon multiple bonds

The Pd(ii)/Cu(ii)-catalysed double functionalization of carbon–carbon multiple bonds in domino processes has emerged in recent years as a fruitful tool for the rapid synthesis of complex molecular scaffolds.

Copper-catalyzed bis-arylations of alkenes leading to oxindole derivatives

A simple and practical copper-catalyzed approach to oxindole derivatives by copper-catalyzed bis-arylation of N-alkyl-N-phenylacrylamides with diaryliodonium triflates has been developed under mild conditions, and the method is of tolerance towards some functional groups in the substrates.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-3H-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyrazin-6(5H)-ones as antitumoral agents

A series of 1,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-3H-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyrazin-6(5H)-ones has been synthesized by an intramolecular, palladium(II) catalyzed, aminooxygenation of alkenyl ureas, readily available from glycine allylamides as starting materials. Biological tests showed that the obtained compounds are endowed with an interesting antitumoral activity against two human thyroid cancer cell lines, namely FTC-133 and 8305C, by promoting the apoptotic pathway and DNA fragmentation.

Enantioselective functionalization of indoles and pyrroles via an in situ-formed spiro intermediate

Herein we report a highly enantioselective synthesis of polycyclic indoles and pyrroles with up to 99% ee by an iridium catalyst system consisting of a commercially available iridium precursor and a readily accessible ligand. Investigation of the reaction mechanism led to the discovery of an unprecedented dearomatized spiro intermediate and its in situ migration phenomenon. The new reaction mode features switching of the substituent from the indole C-3 position to the C-2 position (from the C-2 position to the C-3 position in the case of pyrrole) without loss of the enantiomeric purity, providing a novel concept in designing the asymmetric construction of enantiopure polycyclic indoles and pyrroles.

Highly stereoselective synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-chloro-substituted-α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone by possibly controlling cis- and trans-chloropalladation

A palladium-catalyzed selective synthesis of cis- or trans-chloro-substituted-α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones from single substrate (propiolic acid) has been realized by controlling cis- or trans-chloropalladation. This method is highly effective for building C-Cl, C-O, and C-C bonds into a one-pot procedure because of its good atom and step efficiency.

Palladium-catalyzed dual C-H or N-H functionalization of unfunctionalized indole derivatives with alkenes and arenes

This review highlights the development of palladium-catalyzed C-H and N-H functionalization reactions involving indole derivatives. These procedures require unactivated starting materials and are respectful of the basic principle of sustainable chemistry tied to atom economy.