Expedient one-pot synthesis of indolo[3,2-c]isoquinolines via a base-promoted N-alkylation/tandem cyclization

Direct access to carbamates via acylation of arylamines with dialkyl azodicarboxylates under metal-free conditions

A novel C-N coupling of various arylamines with dialkyl azodicarboxylates under metal-free conditions for the rapid assembly of carbamates has been achieved. This established protocol features mild reaction conditions, simple operation, broad substrate scope, moderate to excellent yields and good tolerance of functional groups. Moreover, the potential synthetic utility of products was exemplified by a series of intriguing chemical operations.

Discovery of an indole-substituted furanone with tubulin polymerization inhibition activity

Analogs of diarylpyrrolinone lead compound 1 were prepared and tested for anti-proliferative activity in U-937 cancer cells. Alterations of 1 focused on modifying the two nitrogen atoms: a) the pyrrolinone nitrogen atom was substituted with a propyl group or replaced with an oxygen atom (furanone), and b) the substituents on the indole nitrogen were varied. These changes led to the discovery of a furanone analog 3b with sub-micromolar anti-cancer potency and tubulin polymerization inhibition activity.

Two Annulated Azaheterocyclic Cores Readily Available from a Single Tetrahydroisoquinolonic Castagnoli-Cushman Precursor

A novel approach to indolo[3,2-c]isoquinoline and dibenzo[c,h][1,6]naphthyridine tetracyclic systems was discovered based on switchable reduction of 2-methoxy-3-(2-nitrophenyl)-1-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-4-carboxylic acid prepared via Castagnoli–Cushman reaction. Reduction with ammonium formate resulted in the expected selective transformation of the nitro group (thus providing access to substituted dibenzo[c,h][1,6]naphthyridine via cyclization and dehydrogenation). However, attempted reduction with sodium sulfide initiated a previously unknown reaction cascade including double reduction, cyclization, and decarboxylation, leading to formation of indolo[3,2-c]isoquinoline polyheterocycle in one synthetic step.

Metal-Free [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Ynamide-Nitriles with Ynamides: A Highly Regio- and Chemoselective Synthesis of δ-Carboline Derivatives

A metal-free formal [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of functionalized ynamide-nitriles with ynamides is disclosed which offers highly efficient access to polysubstituted δ-carboline derivatives under the mediation of TfOH. This strategy is highly regioselective and chemoselective and displays mild conditions, high yields, and efficiency (within 1 min) in addition to substrates scopes (56 examples).

Catalytic Reductive Synthesis and Direct Derivatization of Unprotected Aminoindoles, Aminopyrroles, and Iminoindolines

A titanium(III)-catalyzed radical cyclization to unprotected 3-aminoindoles, 3-aminopyrroles, or 3-iminoindolines is reported. The reaction is non-hazardous, scalable, and allows facile isolation of the free products by extraction. The method is demonstrated on a large substrate scope and it further allows the direct installation of various nitrogen protecting groups or the synthesis of building blocks for peptide chemistry in a single sequence. Fused bisindoles can be directly accessed from the cyclization products.