Synthesis of Hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole Alkaloids Based on the Aza-Pauson−Khand-Type Reaction of Alkynecarbodiimides

Reductive Aza-Pauson-Khand Reaction of Nitriles

γ-Lactams are valuable heterocycles in synthetic chemistry and drug development. Here, we report a reductive aza-Pauson-Khand reaction (aza-PKR) of an alkyne, a nitrile, and Co₂(CO)₈. A wide array of bicyclic α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams containing two adjacent stereocenters, including an all-carbon quaternary center, from alkyne-tethered malononitriles are efficiently accessed in high diastereoselectivity. Preliminary mechanistic investigations by experiments and DFT calculations reveal that the reaction undergoes an aza-PKR process followed by a in situ reduction. The reducing reagent generated in situ from water also provides a practical tool for deuterium incorporation into the γ-position of lactams using D₂O as the deuterium source. This study represents a new mode for [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition that enables the direct use of nitrile in aza-heterocycle synthesis.

Multimolecular Self-Organization of 1-Acetyl-1,3-bis(haloarylamines) in KOH/DMSO System: From Acetylene Gas and o-Halo Arylamines toward a Higher Molecular Complexity and Diversity

An unprecedented self-organization of three molecules of acetylene, two molecules of o-halo arylamine, and one molecule of water to 1-acetyl-1,3-bis(haloarylamines) in the KOH/DMSO system has been discovered. These high-value 1,3-bis(arylamines) are capable of acting as efficient "platform molecules" to provide one-pot access to hexahydropyrrolo[3,2-b]indoles, 3-haloarylamino-pyrrolidines, benzyliden piperidinols, and other functionalized diamines.

Nonbiomimetic total synthesis of indole alkaloids using alkyne-based strategies

Biomimetic natural product synthesis is generally straightforward and efficient because of its established feasibility in nature and utility in comprehensive synthesis, and the cost-effectiveness of naturally derived starting materials. On the other hand, nonbiomimetic strategies can be an important option in natural product synthesis since (1) nonbiomimetic synthesis offers more flexibility and can demonstrate the originality of chemists, and (2) the structures of derivatives accessible by nonbiomimetic synthesis can be considerably different from those that are synthesised in nature. This review summarises nonbiomimetic total syntheses of indole alkaloids using alkyne chemistry for constructing core structures, including ergot alkaloids, monoterpene indole alkaloids (mainly corynanthe, aspidosperma, strychnos, and akuammiline), and pyrroloindole and related alkaloids. To clarify the differences between alkyne-based strategies and biosynthesis, the alkynes in nature and the biosyntheses of indole alkaloids are also outlined.

Carbodiimide-based synthesis of N-heterocycles: moving from two classical reactive sites to chemical bond breaking/forming reaction

Carbodiimides are a unique class of heterocumulene compounds that display distinctive chemical properties. The rich chemistry of carbodiimides has drawn increasing attention from chemists in recent years and has made them exceedingly useful compounds in modern organic chemistry, especially in the synthesis of N-heterocycles. This review has outlined the extensive application of carbodiimides in the synthesis of N-heterocycles from the 1980s to today. A wide range of reactions for the synthesis of various types of N-heterocyclic systems (three-, four-, five-, six-, seven-, larger-membered and fused heterocycles) have been developed on the basis of carbodiimides and their derivatives.

Access to 3-Prenylated Oxindoles by α-Regioselective Prenylation: Application to the Synthesis of (±)-Debromoflustramine E

The development of a rapid, highly efficient, and one-pot synthesis of C3-α-prenylated oxindoles with simple reagents is described. The process is based on zinc-mediated α-regioselective prenylation of 3-acylidene-oxindole with commercially available prenyl bromide using inexpensive CeCl₃ as the catalyst. The new transformation tolerates a wide range of 3-acylidene-oxindoles, providing easy access to a variety of functionalized 3-prenylated oxindoles. The synthetic utility of the approach is verified by formal synthesis of the flustramine family alkaloid (±)-debromoflustramine E.

Creation of Novel Cyclization Methods Using sp-Hybridized Carbon Units and Syntheses of Bioactive Compounds

Some recent results on the development of new and reliable procedures for the construction of diverse ring systems based on the chemistry of sp-hybridized species, especially allene functionality, are described. This review includes: (i) synthesis of the multi-cyclic skeletons by combination of the π-component of allene with suitable other π-components such as alkyne, alkene, or additional allene under Rh-catalyzed conditions; (ii) synthesis of heterocycles as well as carbocycles by reaction of the sp-hybridized center of allene with some nucleophiles in an endo-mode manner; and (iii) total syntheses of natural products and related compounds from the sp-hybridized starting materials.

Synthesis of a carbon analogue of scytonemin

The synthesis of a carbon analogue of scytonemin was accomplished on the basis of molybdenum-mediated intramolecular double Pauson-Khand type reaction of bis(allenyne), followed by the double aldol condensation of the formed double Pauson-Khand type adduct.

Cobalt(ii)/silver relay catalytic isocyanide insertion/cycloaddition cascades: a new access to pyrrolo[2,3-b]indoles

The combination of Co(acac)₂ and AgOTf enables the bimetallic relay catalysis reaction of 2-ethynylanilines and isocyanides, allowing an easy and low-cost access to new densely functionalized pyrrolo[2,3-b]indoles.

New types of reactivity of α,β-unsaturated N,N-dimethylhydrazones: chemodivergent diastereoselective synthesis of functionalized tetrahydroquinolines and hexahydropyrrolo[3,2-b]indoles

The indium trichloride-catalyzed reaction between aromatic imines and α,β-unsaturated N,N-dimethylhydrazones in acetonitrile afforded 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines bearing a hydrazone function at C4 through a one-pot diastereoselective domino process that involves the formation of two C-C bonds and the controlled generation of two stereocenters, one of which is quaternary. This reaction constitutes the first example of an α,β-unsaturated dimethylhydrazone that behaves as a dienophile in a hetero Diels-Alder reaction. The related reaction between anilines, aromatic aldehydes, and methacrolein dimethylhydrazone in CHCl(3) with BF(3)⋅Et(2)O as catalyst afforded polysubstituted 1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydropyrrolo[3,2-b]indoles as major products through a fully diastereoselective ABB'C four-component domino process that generates two cycles, three stereocenters, two C-C bonds, and two C-N bonds in a single operation.