Transition metal catalyzed synthesis of 5-azaindoles

Two-pot synthesis and photophysical studies of 1,6-disubstituted 5-aza-indoles from succinaldehyde and N-aryl propargylic-imines

A two-pot synthesis of 5-aza-indoles has been developed from aqueous succinaldehyde and N-aryl propargylic-imines. This overall protocol involves: (i) the metal-free [3 + 2] annulation of aqueous succinaldehyde and N-aryl propargylic-imines to access 2-alkynyl-pyrrole-3-aldehydes and (ii) Ag-catalyzed 6-endo-dig-cyclization to obtain substituted 5-aza-indoles in the second pot. The 5-aza-indoles showed engaging photophysical activities, and the practicality of this pot-economic gram-scale synthesis has been demonstrated.

Recent developments in the synthesis of azaindoles from pyridine and pyrrole building blocks

The azaindole framework is ubiquitous in bioactive natural products and pharmaceuticals. This review highlights the synthetic approaches to azaindoles with advantages and limitations, mechanistic pathways and biological importance.

Metal-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions on Azaindole Synthesis and Functionalization

Azaindoles are rare in nature but extremely attractive for drug discovery programs. Azaindoles can be obtained by diverse methods, including those involving metal-catalyzed reactions. This important core has been fascinating the scientific community due to their challenging synthesis and relevant bioactivity. This paper highlights the diverse synthetic methodologies developed to date involving metal-catalyzed reaction to attain azaindoles and its functionalization.

Synthesis and trypanocidal activity of a library of 4-substituted 2-(1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-2-yl)propan-2-ols

A library of 16 4-substituted 2-(1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-2-yl)propan-2-ols 17-32 has been synthesized for use in biological testing against Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease. The 4-substituted 2-(1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-2-yl)propan-2-ols 17-32 were subjected to biological testing to evaluate their efficacy against intracellular Trypanosoma cruzi (Y strain) amastigotes infecting U2OS human cells, with benznidazole as a reference compound. The assay was performed in duplicate (two independent experiments) and submitted to High Content Analysis (HCA) for determination of trypanocidal activity. Three of the tested compounds presented relatively high trypanocidal activity (19, 22 and 29), however severe host cell toxicity was observed concomitantly. Chemical optimization of the highly active compounds and the synthesis of more compounds for biological testing against Trypanosoma cruzi will be required to improve selectivity and so that a structure-activity relationship can be generated to provide a more insightful analysis of both chemical and biological aspects.

Pyrrole versus quinoline formation in the palladium catalyzed reaction of 2-alkynyl-3-bromothiophenes and 2-alkynyl-3-bromofurans with anilines. A combined experimental and computational study

Benzofuroquinolines were prepared by a new type of Pd catalyzed annulation reaction. In the first step, 2-alkynyl-3-bromobenzofurans were prepared by Sonogashira reactions of 2,3-dibromobenzofuran. Their Pd catalyzed reaction with electron-rich anilines afforded benzofuroquinolines by a domino C-N coupling/annulation process. This reaction proceeds as a C,N-cyclization via the nitrogen atom and the ortho-carbon of the aniline. Similarly, furoquinolines were prepared from 2,3-dibromofuran. In contrast, benzofuropyrroles and furopyrroles were formed by N,N-cyclization when electron-poor anilines were used. Earlier, we reported results related to the thiophene and benzothiophene series. Quinolines were formed from 2,3-dibromobenzothiophene when electron rich anilines were used. In contrast, pyrroles were obtained in the case of electron-poor anilines. On the other hand, pyrroles were generally obtained, not depending on the type of aniline, when 2,3-dibromothiophene was employed as the starting material. In the present article, a detailed DFT study related to the mechanism (quinoline versus pyrrole formation) is reported which provides a rationalization of the selectivities observed for the furan, benzofuran, thiophene and benzothiophene series and for the different selectivities observed for electron-rich and -poor anilines.

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted 5-azaindoles via heteroannulation reaction and of 2-substituted 5-azaindoles through domino sila-Sonogashira/5-endo cyclization

A general and efficient procedure for the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted 5-azaindoles through the palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation of 4-acetamido-3-iodopyridines and diaryl-, dialkyl-, or arylalkylalkynes is described along with a study of the reaction regioselectivity. The preparation of 2-monosubstituted 5-azaindoles via sila-Sonogashira/5-endo cyclization is also reported. These methods allowed us to prepare 36 diversely substituted 5-azaindoles in good yields.

Concise synthesis and CDK/GSK inhibitory activity of the missing 9-azapaullones

A remarkably concise, chromatography-free route to the parent compound of the paullone family of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors is reported. A similar strategy allowed the synthesis of the hitherto missing 9-azapaullone and its protonated, N-oxidised and N-alkylated derivatives. Screening studies identified an active and strongly selective inhibitor of CDK9/cyclin T.

Selective Synthesis of 2,3-Disubstituted-2H-isoindol-1-ylphosphonate and 2,3-Disubstituted-1,2-dihydroiso- quinolin-1-ylphosphonate via Metal-Tuned Reaction of α-Amino (2-Alkynylphenyl)methylphosphonate

Palladium(II)-catalyzed reaction of alpha-amino (2-alkynylphenyl)methylphosphonate provides a novel and efficient route to 2,3-disubstituted-2H-isoindol-1-ylphosphonate via 5-exo-cyclization and [1,5]-H shift; while 2,3-disubstituted-1,2-dihydroisoquinolin-1-ylphosphonate is afforded through 6-endo-cyclization utilizing silver triflate as catalyst.