Pd(II)-Catalyzed CH Activation of Styrylindoles: Short, Efficient, and Regioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Carbazoles

Metal- and Solvent-Free Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzo[c]carbazolones through NaI-Catalyzed Formal [4 + 2] Annulation

A novel strategy for the preparation of functional carbazoles through NaI-catalyzed formal [4 + 2] annulation of 2-(indol-3-yl)cyclohexanones and alkynes/alkenes has been developed. The present approach started from easily available raw materials and provided a variety of tetrahydrobenzo[c]carbazolones in satisfactory yields under metal- and solvent-free conditions. Furthermore, the products could be further transformed into structurally valuable carbazole-based conjugated derivatives.

Electrochemical Regioselective Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Indoles with Xanthenes

An electrochemical cross-dehydrogenative coupling of indoles with xanthenes has been established at room temperature. This coupling reaction could proceed in the absence of any catalyst or external oxidant, and generate the indole derivatives in moderate yields. Mechanistic experiments support that a radical pathway maybe involved in this reaction system.

Rapid Access to Benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinoline-Fused Isoxazoles via Pd(II)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Cross Dehydrogenative Coupling: Synthetic Versatility and Photophysical Studies

An efficient and atom-economical palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cross dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction has been developed for the construction of highly π-conjugated benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinoline-fused isoxazole scaffolds using molecular oxygen as sole oxidant. The approach portrayed wide substrate scope with good functional group tolerance and depicted a useful tool for the generation of fluorescence active compounds with high quantum yield. Synthetic versatility of the method via Fe-catalyzed reductive isoxazole ring cleavage toward pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazole fused heteropolycyclic compounds has been showcase.

Benzannulation strategies for the synthesis of carbazoles, indolocarbazoles, benzocarbazoles, and carbolines

This review presents a critical and authoritative analysis of several exciting benzannulation approaches developed in the past decade for the construction of carbazoles, indolocarbazoles, benzocarbazoles, and carbolines.

Metal-Free Indole-Phenacyl Bromide Cyclization: A Regioselective Synthesis of 3,5-Diarylcarbazoles

A metal-free, simultaneous triple C-C coupling cyclization reaction between phenacyl bromides and indoles is discovered in a highly regioselective fashion to furnish 3,5-diarylcarbazoles. DMAP is utilized as the only reagent for the unusual and rapid cyclization reaction to furnish all new carbazole compounds through installation of a great diversity of substituents. A plausible radical mechanism for the new reaction is predicted by conducting various control experiments, competitive reactions, furoindole formation, and ESI-MS analyses of the ongoing cyclization reaction.

Pd-Catalyzed Intermolecular Dehydrogenative Heck Reactions of Five-Membered Heteroarenes

The Pd-mediated cross-coupling of (hetero)arenes with alkenes may be an effective method for the formation of a C–C bond from two C–H bonds. Discovered by Fujiwara and co-workers in 1967, this reaction led to a number of reports that we firstly highlighted in 2011 (review with references till June 2010) and for which, we retained the name “dehydrogenative Heck reaction”. The topic, especially the reactions of five-membered heteroarenes, has been the subject of intensive research over the last ten years. The present review is limited to these dehydrogenative Heck reactions published since 2010, underlining the progress of the procedures.

Cu(II)-Mediated Ortho-C-H Amination of Arenes with Free Amines

Copper-mediated direct ortho-C-H amination of arenes has been accomplished with the aid of easily removable bidentate pyridine N-oxide as a directing group. The use of free cyclic secondary amines and anilines as aminating agents and inexpensive copper acetate makes the strategy more effective and favorable from the economic point of view. This reaction is compatible with a wide range of functional groups to synthesize a variety of amine-containing products of high interest. This method also allows the short synthesis of the central scaffold of pharmaceutically relevant Staphylococcus aureus Sortase A inhibitors.

Substituent-Guided Palladium-Ene Reaction for the Synthesis of Carbazoles and Cyclopenta[ b]indoles

An efficient palladium-catalyzed intramolecular Trost-Oppolzer type Alder-ene strategy was developed for the synthesis of carbazoles and cyclopenta[ b]indoles from easily accessible(3-allyl-1 H-indol-2-yl)methyl acetates. This strategy was extended for the synthesis of naphthalenes and dibenzobenzofurans as well. In addition, a short synthesis of antibacterial and antifungal natural product glycozoline and its analogues was also achieved.

Synthesis of cyano-substituted carbazoles via successive C-C/C-H cleavage

A highly efficient protocol for the synthesis of polysubstituted cyano carbazoles has been developed. This process is realized through the tandem reactions of Cs2CO3 promoted C-C σ-bond activation of α-cyano ketones followed by Fe-catalyzed selective C-H and/or C-C bond activations. Two of the sp2 C-H bonds are functionalized, and two of the C-C σ-bonds are cleaved involving a 1,2-acyl migration during the reaction process.

Recent advances in the synthesis of carbazoles from indoles

Synthesis of carbazoles using indoles as precursors through CH activation/annulation.

Substrate-Controlled Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of ( Z)- and ( E)- N-Styrylated Carbazoles, Aza-carbazoles, and γ-Carbolines via Hydroamination of Alkynes

We report herein the substrate-controlled regio- and stereoselective hydroamination of carbazoles, aza-carbazoles, and γ-carbolines with functionalized aromatic as well as aliphatic alkynes in a KOH/DMSO system in good yields. The electronic effect of the substrates governs the stereochemistry of the product. Electron-donating alkynes provided ( Z)-stereoselective products, and electron-withdrawing alkynes provided ( E)-stereoselective products. This approach also provides an easy route for the synthesis of mono- and bis-hydroaminated product. The deuterium-labeling studies were also conducted to support the mechanistic pathway.

Transition-Metal-Free Access to Pyridocarbazoles from 2-Alkynylindole-3-carbaldehydes via Azomethine Ylide

An efficient approach for the synthesis of functionalized tetrahydro-pyrido/quinolinocarbazoles from 2-alkynylindole-3-carbaldehydes and l-proline utilizing a metal-free decarboxylative cyclization, ring expansion, and ring contraction strategy via the generation of azomethine ylide was developed. The reaction of 2-alkynylindole-3-carbaldehydes with l-thioproline leads to the formation of γ-carbolines. By virtue of this expedient method, a diverse range of biologically active heteroannulated carbazoles can be synthesized efficiently.

Silver–copper co-catalyzed cascade intramolecular cyclization/desulfinamide/dehydrogenation: one-pot synthesis of substituted carbazoles

Multi-substituted carbazoles were obtained from a silver–copper co-catalyzed cascade intramolecular cyclization/desulfinamide/dehydrogenation reaction.

A rapid construction of a specific quino[4,3-b] carbazolone system and its application for the synthesis of calothrixin B

An efficient methodology is developed for the synthesis of functionalized specific carbazole lactams related to pyrido[4,3-b]- and quino[4,3-b] carbazole alkaloids.

N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS)-Catalyzed C-H Bond Functionalization: An Annulation of Alkynes with Electron Withdrawing Group (EWG)-Substituted Acetyl Indoles for the Synthesis of Carbazoles

An N-bromosuccinimide-catalyzed intermolecular annulation of acetyl indoles with alkynes was developed, allowing for regioselective formation of valuable carbazoles through direct C-H bond functionalization. The readily available catalyst, wide substrate scope, gram scale synthesis, and mild conditions make this method practical. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the bromination of acetyl indole takes place to generate a bromide intermediate, followed by coupling with an alkyne and intramolecular cycloaromatization to furnish carbazole products.

Ag(i)-Catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions: synthesis of substituted phenanthrenes and naphthothiophenes

Ag-Catalyzed synthesis of substituted phenanthrenes and naphthothiophenes from ortho-alkylated biaryl derivatives via 6-endo-dig intramolecular alkyne–arene coupling has been described.

Metal- and Protection-Free [4 + 2] Cycloadditions of Alkynes with Azadienes: Assembly of Functionalized Quinolines

A base promoted, protection-free, and regioselective synthesis of highly functionalized quinolines via [4 + 2] cycloaddition of azadienes (generated in situ from o-aminobenzyl alcohol) with internal alkynes has been discovered. The reaction tolerates a wide variety of functional groups which has been successfully extended with diynes, (2-aminopyridin-3-yl)methanol, and 1,4-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene to afford (Z)-phenyl-2-styrylquinolines, phenylnaphthyridine, and alkyne-substituted quinolines, respectively. The proposed mechanism and significant role of the solvent were well supported by isolating the azadiene intermediate and deuterium-labeling studies.

Non-redox metal ion promoted oxidative coupling of indoles with olefins by the palladium(ii) acetate catalyst through dioxygen activation: experimental results with DFT calculations

Non-redox metal ions can sharply improve the Pd(ii)-catalyzed oxidative coupling of indoles with acrylates, leading to one-step synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives.