Formal Syntheses of (−)- and (+)-Phalarine

Synthesis of indole derivatives as prevalent moieties present in selected alkaloids

Indoles are a significant heterocyclic system in natural products and drugs. They are important types of molecules and natural products and play a main role in cell biology. The application of indole derivatives as biologically active compounds for the treatment of cancer cells, microbes, and different types of disorders in the human body has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Indoles, both natural and synthetic, show various biologically vital properties. Owing to the importance of this significant ring system, the investigation of novel methods of synthesis have attracted the attention of the chemical community. In this review, we aim to highlight the construction of indoles as a moiety in selected alkaloids.

Direct oxidative coupling of N-acetyl indoles and phenols for the synthesis of benzofuroindolines related to phalarine

Inspired by the biogenetic synthesis of benzofuroindoline-containing natural products, we designed an oxidative coupling between phenol and N-acetyl indoles. This straightforward and direct radical process, mediated by 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone and FeCl3 allowed the regioselective synthesis of benzofuro[3,2-b]indolines, whose structure is found in the natural product phalarine.