Boronic Acid Accelerated Three-Component Reaction for the Synthesis of α-Sulfanyl-Substituted Indole-3-acetic Acids

Emergent Organoboron Acid Catalysts

Organoboron acids are stable, organic-soluble Lewis acids with potential application as catalysts for a wide variety of chemical reactions. In this review, we summarize the utility of boronic and borinic acids, as well as boric acid, as catalysts for organic transformations. Typically, the catalytic processes exploit the Lewis acidity of trivalent boron, enabling the reversible formation of a covalent bond with oxygen. Our focus is on recent developments in the catalysis of dehydration, carbonyl condensation, acylation, alkylation, and cycloaddition reactions. We conclude that organoboron acids have a highly favorable prospectus as the source of new catalysts.

Unveiling a Strategy for Ring Opening of Epoxides: Synthesis of 2-Hydroxyindolinylidenes Using α-Ester Sulfoxonium Ylides

The untapped potential of α-carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides in epoxide ring-opening reactions has been a notable gap in current research, with such reactivity predominantly associated with the highly reactive dimethylsulfoxonium methylide. This study introduces an innovative approach wherein an epoxide indole, formed in situ from 2-hydroxyindoline-3-triethylammonium bromide, undergoes reaction with α-ester sulfoxonium ylides. The outcome is the efficient synthesis of a range of 2-hydroxyindolin-3-ylidenes, demonstrating favorable yields (41-81%) and Z/E ratios from 4:1 to those of exclusive Z isomers. Additionally, the photophysical properties of the synthesized indolinylidenes are explored, along with their derivatization using various nucleophiles under acid catalysis.

Discovery of 3-Formyl-N-(un)Substituted Benzylindole Pyrimidines as an Acaricidal Agent and Their Mechanism of Action

To discover the pronounced acaricide candidate, herein, a series of 3-formyl-N-(un)substituted benzylindole pyrimidines were prepared by structural modification of indoles at the N-1 and C-3 positions via the successive Vilsmeier-Haack-Arnold (VHA), aldol condensation, and cyclization reactions. The steric structures of nine compounds were undoubtedly confirmed by X-ray single-crystallography. Against Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval, compounds V-15, V-31, V-34, V-42, V-44, and V-60 exhibited promising acaricidal activity with LC50 values of 0.299-0.481 mg/mL. In particular, compound V-34 displayed 4.2 times the acaricidal activity of its precursor 6-methylindole. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging revealed that the construction of the cuticle layer of V-34-treated T. cinnabarinus was seriously destroyed. Furthermore, RNA-Seq analysis indicated that compound V-34 could regulate the homeostasis metabolism of T. cinnabarinus through arachidonic acid and linoleic acid metabolism and lysosome pathways. These results suggested that compound V-34 can be further studied as a lead acaricidal agent.

Boronic acid-catalysed C-3 selective ring opening of 3,4-epoxy alcohols with thiophenols and thiols

In this protocol we described a boronic acid-catalysed C-3 selective ring opening of 3,4-epoxy alcohols with thiophenols and thiols as nucleophiles. This diastereo- and enantiospecific reaction provides an efficient entry to prepare a variety of hydroxyl sulfides. Through the directing effect of the hydroxyl group, nucleophilic attack on the C-3 position of the epoxide moiety is favoured. It can be rationalized in a proposed transition state, in which the boronic acid catalyst tethers both epoxides and S-nucleophiles.

Bioconjugation with Thiols by Benzylic Substitution

A benzylic substitution of 3-indolyl(hydroxyl)acetate derivatives with thiols proceeded specifically in the presence of amino, carboxy, and phosphate groups in weakly acidic aqueous solutions under nearly physiological condition, while no reaction occurred at pH over 7. Kinetic studies revealed that the reaction followed second-order kinetics (first-order in the reactant and first-order in thiol) in contrast with the S_N 1 mechanism of common benzylic substitution of alcohols. The utility of the present method for functionalization of biomacromolecules was demonstrated using several model proteins, such as lysozyme, insulin, trypsin, and serum albumin. The catalytic bioactivity of lysozyme in lysis of Micrococcus lysodeikticus cells was completely retained after the modification.

Solvent and catalyst free ring expansion of indoles: a simple synthesis of highly functionalized benzazepines

Highly functionalized benzazepines have been synthesized from indoles via ring expansion. Ring contraction of benzazepines to indole derivatives has also been acheived in excellent yields.