Indium-Catalyzed Annulation of 2-Aryl- and 2-Heteroarylindoles with Propargyl Ethers: Concise Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Diverse Aryl- and Heteroaryl-Annulated[a]carbazoles

Copper-Catalyzed Three-Component Tandem Cyclization for One-Pot Synthesis of Indole-Benzofuran Bis-Heterocycles

A one-pot, three-component synthesis of indole-benzofuran bis-heterocycles from terminal alkynes, salicylaldehydes, and indoles has been developed via copper-catalyzed tandem annulation. This catalytic system utilizes readily available starting materials, enabling predictable synthesis of indole-benzofuran bis-heterocycles with broad substrate versatility, excellent regiocontrol, and gram-scale amenability. The reaction proceeds via a sequential pathway involving A3 coupling, 1,4-conjugate addition, and 5-exo-dig cyclization.

Dehydrogenative Photocyclization of 3-Styryl Indoles to Fused Indole Systems

The synthesis of 5-aryl- or 5,6-diaryl-11H-benzo[a]carbazoles has been achieved from 3-styryl indoles through catalyst-free photoinitiated dehydrogenative cyclization transformation, providing a range of structurally diverse products in excellent yields under mild conditions. The protocol is also applicable to furan and thiophene samples. This Mallory-type reaction takes place in an argon atmosphere without external oxidants. Finally, detailed mechanistic studies were performed, and kinetic isotope effect experiments indicate that dehydrogenative annulation reaction involves photoinduced 6π-electrocyclic ring-closing and hydrogen evolution cascade processes.

Preparation of Carbazoles Involving 6π-Electrocyclization, Photoredox-, Electrochemical-, and Thermal Cyclization Reactions: Mechanistic Insights

Carbazole is a heterocyclic motif that can be found in a diverse array of natural and unnatural products displaying a wide range of biological and physiological properties. Furthermore, this heterocycle is part of electronic materials like photoconducting polymers and organic optoelectronic materials owing to its excellent photophysical characteristics. Consequently, the development of synthetic strategies for carbazole scaffolds holds potential significance in biological and material fields. In this regard, a variety of preparation methods has been developed to exploit their efficient and distinct formation of new C-C and C-heteroatom bonds under mild conditions and enabling broad substrate diversity and functional group tolerance. Therefore, this review focuses on the synthesis of a set of carbazole derivatives describing a variety of methodologies that involve direct irradiation, photosensitization, photoredox, electrochemical and thermal cyclization reactions.

Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Linked Bis-Heterocycles─Synthesis and Investigation of Photophysical Properties

A palladium-catalyzed domino C-N coupling/Cacchi reaction is reported. Design of photoluminescent bis-heterocycles, aided by density functional theory calculations, was performed with synthetic yields up to 98%. The photophysical properties of the products accessed via this strategy were part of a comprehensive study that led to broad emission spectra and quantum yields of up to 0.59. Mechanistic experiments confirmed bromoalkynes as competent intermediates, and a density functional theory investigation suggests a pathway involving initial oxidative addition into the cis C-Br bond of the gem-dihaloolefin.

Carbonylative Formal Cycloaddition between Alkylarenes and Aldimines Enabled by Palladium-Catalyzed Double C-H Bond Activation

Double C-H bond activation can enable an expeditious reaction pathway to cyclic compounds, offering an efficient tool to synthesize valuable molecules. However, cyclization reaction enabled by double C-H bond activation at one carbon atom is nearly unknown. Herein, we report a carbonylative formal cycloaddition of alkylarenes with imines via double benzylic C-H bond activation at one carbon atom, allowing a straightforward synthesis of β-lactams from readily accessible alkylarenes and imines, which paves the way for developing an annulation reaction through double C-H bond activation at one carbon atom.

A Versatile Pd-Catalyzed Alkyne Annulation Process for Benzo[a]carbazoles and their Anticancer Analogues

A Pd-catalyzed, simple, and divergent approach for the direct synthesis of benzo[a]carbazoles from internal alkynes and N-tosyl-iodoindoles has been demonstrated. This methodology highlights the influences of reaction media and temperature for the synthesis of either N-protected or N-deprotected benzo[a]carbazoles. This cascade strategy provides a series of electronically different benzo[a]carbazoles with good yields. The synthesized benzo[a]carbazoles were evaluated for in vitro anticancer activity against human lung cancer A549 cells and human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Notably, two of the representative analogues displayed potent anticancer activity against both cancer cell lines.

Annulation strategies for diverse heterocycles via the reductive transformation of 2-nitrostyrenes

Reduction of the stable nitro group is a fundamental and widely used transformation for the construction of complex and functionalized heterocyclic architectures. The unfolding of the reactivity of the nitro group in the 2-nitrostyrene moiety not only triggers the formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds, but also offers the opportunity for annulation and heteroannulation, thereby providing a cascade process for the synthesis of highly conjugated natural and unnatural molecules. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the use of 2-nitrostyrene motifs in the synthesis of various N-heterocycles. We offer readers an overview of the synthetic achievements achieved to date, highlighting their important features, reactivities, and mechanisms.

Photoinduced [6π]-Electrocyclic Reaction of Mono-, Di-, and Trisubstituted Triphenylamines in Acetonitrile. A Steady-State Investigation

Direct irradiation of mono-, di-, and trisubstituted triphenylamine derivatives in acetonitrile as solvent with light of 254 nm has been systematically investigated, revealing that the exo/endo carbazole derivatives were formed as the main photoproducts from modest to good yields for triphenylamines substituted with electron-donor and neutral substituents. The kinetic profiles of the photoreaction were also recorded, and the consumption rate constants (k) were measured. These kinetic parameters show dependence on the nature of the substituents, and linear Hammett correlations were carried out to showcase the substituent effect. On the other hand, the spectroscopic behavior of the electron-rich substituted triphenylamines has been analyzed, suggesting that the fluorescence emission spectra display a mirror image of the lower energy absorption bands, while for those amines bearing electron-acceptor groups the formation of charge-transfer complexes and their fluorescence emissions constitute the main deactivation pathway of the photoreaction.

Cascade of C(sp2)-H Addition to Carbonyl and C(sp2)-CN/C(sp2)-H Coupling Enabled by Brønsted Acid: Construction of Benzo[a]carbazole Frameworks

Herein, we report an unprecedented cascade reaction of C(sp²)-H addition to carbonyl and the C(sp²)-CN/C(sp²)-H coupling of 2-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)benzonitriles with indoles enabled by commercially available TsOH·H₂O. The protocol represents the first metal-free C(sp²)-CN/C(sp²)-H coupling, affording a new route for the synthesis of various benzo[a]carbazole derivatives with a broad substrate scope, high yields, and simple conditions.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Indolyl Benzo[b]carbazoles and Their Photoluminescence Property

A copper-catalyzed cascade cyclization of dihydroisobenzofurans with indoles for the rapid construction of indoly benzo[b]carbazoles has been reported, providing the desired products in moderate to good yields under mild conditions along with a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. The photoluminescence property of these indoly benzo[b]carbazoles has also been investigated.

Pd(II)-Catalyzed alkyne annulation through allylic isomerization: synthesis of spiro-cyclopentadiene pyrazolones

The Pd(ii)-catalyzed activation of Csp2-H bond and double alkyne annulation which proceeds via allylic isomerization is reported for the first time. This reaction of antipyrines with alkynes provides an efficient synthetic route for the biologically important spiro-cyclopentadiene pyrazolones. In the presence of Lawesson's reagent, this Pd(ii)-catalyzed annulation reaction affords another spiro-cyclopentadiene pyrazolone which displays very good fluorescence properties.

Cascade annulative π-extension for the rapid construction of carbazole based polyaromatic hydrocarbons

A Brønsted acid catalyzed cascade benzannulation strategy for the one-pot synthesis of densely populated poly-aryl benzo[a]carbazole architectures is disclosed from easily affordable fundamental commodities. The efficacy of this technique was further validated via the concise synthesis of structurally unique carbazole based poly-aromatic hydrocarbons. Furthermore, the photo-physical properties of the synthesized compounds are thoroughly investigated.

Facile and Mild Access to Fluorescent Ladder-Type Indolo[3,2-a]carbazoles via Cascade Annulation

A set of fluorescent ladder-type indolo[3,2-a]carbazoles were rationally developed via cascade annulation of indoles and nitroolefins under mild reaction conditions. Diverse functional groups were tolerated. Moreover, structure–photophysical properties relationships (SPPR) of indolo[3,2-a]carbazoles were observed to be simply tuned by changing the electronic nature of the peripheral substituents.

In(ONf)3-catalyzed 7-membered carbon-ring-forming annulation of heteroarylindoles with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

We developed the two recipes, on the indium-catalyzed reductive and oxidative 7-membered carbon-ring-forming annulations of heteroarylindoles with a,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

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.

Dearomatization-Rearomatization Strategy for Synthesizing Carbazoles with 2,2'-Biphenols and Ammonia by Dual C(Ar)-OH Bond Cleavages

Carbazole is an essential building block in various pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, natural products, and materials. For future sustainability, it is highly desirable to synthesize carbazole derivatives directly from renewable resources or cheap raw materials. Phenolic compounds are a class of degradation products of lignin. On the other hand, ammonia is a very cheap industrial inorganic chemical. Herein, an efficient dearomatization-rearomatization strategy has been developed to directly cross-couple 2,2'-biphenols with ammonia by dual C(Ar)-OH bond cleavages. This strategy provides a greener pathway to synthesize valuable carbazole derivatives from phenols.

Divergent Coupling of Benzocyclobutenones with Indoles via C-H and C-C Activations

Highly selective divergent coupling reactions of benzocyclobutenones and indoles, in which the chemoselectivity is controlled by catalysts, are reported herein. The substrates undergo C2(indole)-C8(benzocyclobutenone) coupling to produce benzylated indoles and benzo[b]carbazoles in the Ni- and Ru-catalyzed reactions. A completely different selectivity pattern C2(indole)-C2(benzocyclobutenone) coupling to form arylated indoles is observed in the Rh-catalyzed reaction. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest C-H and C-C activations in the reaction pathway. Synthetic utility of this protocol is demonstrated by the selective synthesis of three different types of carbazoles from the representative products.

Deconstructive Reorganization: De Novo Synthesis of Hydroxylated Benzofuran

An unprecedented deconstructive reorganization strategy for the de novo synthesis of hydroxylated benzofurans from kojic acid- or maltol-derived alkynes is reported. In this reaction, both the benzene and furan rings were simultaneously constructed, whereas the pyrone moiety of the kojic acid or maltol was deconstructed and then reorganized into the benzene ring as a six-carbon component. Through this strategy, at least one free hydroxyl group was introduced into the benzene ring in a substitution-pattern tunable fashion without protection-deprotection and redox adjustment. With this method, a large number of hydroxylated benzofuran derivatives with different substitution-patterns have been prepared efficiently. This methodology has also been shown as the key step in a collective total synthesis of hydroxylated benzofuran-containing natural products (11 examples).

Palladium(ii)-catalyzed vinylic geminal double C-H activation and alkyne annulation reaction: synthesis of pentafulvenes

The first transition-metal-catalyzed vinylic geminal double C(sp²)-H activation and di-substituted alkyne annulation reaction is reported. This palladium(ii)-catalyzed, amide directed reaction of vinylic compounds with di-substituted alkynes offers an efficient synthetic path to pentafulvenes, which are very important compounds because of their bioactivity and interesting optical properties. A FeCl₃-mediated transformation of pentafulvenes to fluorescent cyclopenta[b]quinolines is also developed.

2,3-Dimethoxyindolines: a latent electrophile for SNAr reactions triggered by indium catalysts

An unprecedented utilization of 2,3-dimethoxyindolines (DiMeOINs) as a latent electrophile in regioselective In-catalyzed aromatic substitutions has been reported.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Selective Oxidative (Spiro)annulation of 2-Arylindoles by Using Benzoquinone as a C2 or C1 Synthon

Rhodium-catalyzed substrate-tunable oxidative annulation and spiroannulation reactions of 2-arylindoles with benzoquinone leading to 9H-dibenzo[a,c]carbazol-3-ols and new spirocyclic products are reported. Intriguingly, with 2-aryl-substituted indoles, benzoquinone could act as a C2 synthon to afford dibenzo[a,c]carbazoles. On the contrary, when 2-aryl-3-substituted indoles were used, benzoquinone switched to act as a C1 synthon to furnish spirocyclic compounds. In addition, further transformations of the obtained products demonstrate the synthetic utility of the present protocol.

Porous Organic Polymer-Derived Nanopalladium Catalysts for Chemoselective Synthesis of Antitumor Benzofuro[2,3- b]pyrazine from 2-Bromophenol and Isonitriles

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of benzofuro[2,3- b]pyrazines was developed. These tricyclic scaffolds were formed through a multistep cascade sequence, which includes double insertion of isonitriles and chemoselective bicyclization. In this reaction, a nanopalladium was used as a recyclable catalyst. Product 3w exhibited excellent anticancer activity toward T-24 (IC₅₀ = 12.5 ± 0.9 μM) and HeLa (IC₅₀ = 14.7 ± 1.6 μM) cells. We also explored the action mechanism of 3w on T-24 cells.

Recent advances in the synthesis of carbazoles from indoles

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

Synthesis of benzo[a]carbazoles via cyanide-catalyzed imino-Stetter reaction/Friedel–Crafts reaction sequence

A new sequential protocol for the synthesis of benzo[a]carbazoles was developed via the cyanide-catalyzed imino-Stetter reaction followed by Friedel–Crafts reaction.

Access to polyfunctionalized carbazoles through π-extension of 2-methyl-3-oxoacetate indoles

A structurally diverse set of polyfunctionalized carbazoles was efficiently synthesized in acceptable to excellent yields.

Carbene-Catalyzed Construction of Carbazoles from Enals and 2-Methyl-3-oxoacetate Indoles

Direct and rapid construction of carbazoles has been successfully developed via carbene-catalyzed oxidative formal [4 + 2] annulation of enals with 2-methyl-3-oxoacetate indoles. This metal-free reaction features a broad substrate scope, features good functional-group tolerance, proceeds under mild conditions, and can be easily scaled up.

Chemistry and Properties of Indolocarbazoles

The indolocarbazoles are an important class of nitrogen heterocycles which has evolved significantly in recent years, with numerous studies focusing on their diverse biological effects, or targeting new materials with potential applications in organic electronics. This review aims at providing a broad survey of the chemistry and properties of indolocarbazoles from an interdisciplinary point of view, with particular emphasis on practical synthetic aspects, as well as certain topics which have not been previously accounted for in detail, such as the occurrence, formation, biological activities, and metabolism of indolo[3,2- b]carbazoles. The literature of the past decade forms the basis of the text, which is further supplemented with older key references.

Indium-Catalyzed Annulation of o-Acylanilines with Alkoxyheteroarenes: Synthesis of Heteroaryl[b]quinolines and Subsequent Transformation to Cryptolepine Derivatives

We disclose herein the first synthetic method that is capable of offering heteroaryl[b]quinolines (HA[b]Qs) with structural diversity, which include tricyclic and tetracyclic structures with (benzo)thienyl, (benzo)furanyl, and indolyl rings. The target HA[b]Q is addressed by the annulation of o-acylanilines and MeO–heteroarenes with the aid of an indium Lewis acid that effectively works to make two different types of the N–C and C–C bonds in one batch. A series of indolo[3,2-b]quinolines prepared here can be subsequently transformed to structurally unprecedented cryptolepine derivatives. Mechanistic studies showed that the N–C bond formation is followed by the C–C bond formation. The indium-catalyzed annulation reaction thus starts with the nucleophilic attack of the NH₂ group of o-acylanilines to the MeO-connected carbon atom of the heteroaryl ring in an S_NAr fashion, and thereby the N–C bond is formed. The resulting intermediate then cyclizes to make the C–C bond through the nucleophilic attack of the heteroaryl-ring-based carbon atom to the carbonyl carbon atom, providing the HA[b]Q after aromatizing dehydration.