ZnCl2 promoted efficient, one-pot synthesis of 3-arylmethyl and diarylmethyl indoles

Catalytic Approaches to Multicomponent Reactions: A Critical Review and Perspectives on the Roles of Catalysis

In this review, we comprehensively describe catalyzed multicomponent reactions (MCRs) and the multiple roles of catalysis combined with key parameters to perform these transformations. Besides improving yields and shortening reaction times, catalysis is vital to achieving greener protocols and to furthering the MCR field of research. Considering that MCRs typically have two or more possible reaction pathways to explain the transformation, catalysis is essential for selecting a reaction route and avoiding byproduct formation. Key parameters, such as temperature, catalyst amounts and reagent quantities, were analyzed. Solvent effects, which are likely the most neglected topic in MCRs, as well as their combined roles with catalysis, are critically discussed. Stereocontrolled MCRs, rarely observed without the presence of a catalytic system, are also presented and discussed in this review. Perspectives on the use of catalytic systems for improved and greener MCRs are finally presented.

Metal- and solvent-free synthesis of aniline- and phenol-based triarylmethanes via Brönsted acidic ionic liquid catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction

A beneficial, scalable and efficient methodology for the synthesis of aniline-based triarylmethanes has been established through the double Friedel-Crafts reaction of commercial aldehydes and primary, secondary or tertiary anilines using Brönsted acidic ionic liquid as a powerful catalyst, namely [bsmim][NTf₂]. This protocol was successfully performed under metal- and solvent-free conditions with a broad range of substrates, giving the corresponding aniline-based triarylmethane products in good to excellent yields (up to 99%). In addition, alternative aromatic nucleophiles such as phenols and electron-rich arenes were also studied using this useful approach to achieve a diversity of triarylmethane derivatives in high to excellent yields.

Brönsted acidic ionic liquid catalyzed the synthesis of aniline- and phenol-based triarylmethanes via Friedel-Crafts reaction under metal- and solvent-free conditions.

FeCl3·6H2O as a Mild Catalyst for Nucleophilic Substitution of Symmetrical Bis(indoyl)methanes

In this paper, unsymmetrical bis(indolyl)methane (BIM) and 3-alkylindole derivatives are smoothly synthesized from symmetrical BIMs with a variety of nucleophiles including heteroaromatic/aromatic compounds, allylsilane and alkynylsilane. FeCl₃·6H₂O is found to be a mild and highly effective catalyst for this nucleophilic substitution reaction in which N-methyl-2-phenylindole behaves as a good leaving group in the C_sp³-C_sp² bond cleavage reaction. The operational ease, nonexpensive and environmentally friendly catalyst, mild reaction conditions, broad functional group tolerance, and scalability of this reaction strategy are advantages of the present procedure.

An investigation of the synthesis of vilazodone

A novel synthetic route toward vilazodone is described by using 4-cyanoaniline and 5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde as starting materials, with an overall yield of 24% and 99% purity. First, the intermediate (3-(4-chlorobutyl)-1 H-indole-5-carbonitrile) is synthesized via diazotization of 4-cyanoaniline, followed by Fischer indole cyclization with 6-chlorohexanal. Subsequently, another intermediate, 5-(piperazin-1-yl)benzofuran-2-carboxamide, is generated via aromatic nucleophilic substitution of 5-bromobenzofuran-2-carboxamide with piperazine. Finally, vilazodone is obtained via nucleophilic substitution of the above two key intermediates by treatment with Et3N/K2CO3. In comparison to the original process, this route avoids the use of expensive and toxic reagents and resolves issues such as safety, environmental concerns, and high costs.

A straightforward and versatile FeCl3 catalyzed Friedel–Crafts C-glycosylation process. Application to the synthesis of new functionalized C-nucleosides

Rapid and straightforward access to C-nucleosides using an inexpensive FeCl₃ catalyst.

Recent advances in the application of indoles in multicomponent reactions

Indoles are some of the most versatile and common nitrogen-based heterocyclic scaffolds and are frequently used in the synthesis of various organic compounds. Indole based compounds are very important among heterocyclic structures due to their biological and pharmaceutical activities. The last decade, in particular, has witnessed considerable activity towards the synthesis of indole derivatives due to the possibilities for the design of polycyclic structures by the incorporation of multiple fused heterocyclic scaffolds in an attempt to achieve promising new heterocycles with chemical and biomedical relevance. In this study, we provide an overview on recent applications of indole in the multicomponent reactions for the synthesis of various heterocyclic compounds during the period of 2012 to 2017.

Organocatalyzed CO2 Trapping Using Alkynyl Indoles

The first organocatalyzed trapping of CO2 through C-C and C-O bond formation is reported. Alkynyl indoles together with catalytic amounts of an organic base and five equivalents of CO2 resulted in the formation new heterocyclic structures. These tricyclic indole-containing products were successfully prepared under mild reaction conditions from aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic alkynyl indoles with complete regioselectivity. Further investigations suggest that C-C bond formation is the initial intermolecular step, followed by lactone-forming C-O bond formation.

Oleic acid: a benign Brønsted acidic catalyst for densely substituted indole derivative synthesis

Oleic acid was identified to catalyse bis(indolyl)methane and densely functionalized 4H-chromene, spirooxindole and spiro[indoline-3,4′-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole] derivative synthesis in good to excellent yields.