“Transition-Metal-Free” Synthesis of Carbazoles by Photostimulated Reactions of 2′-Halo[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-amines

Trends in carbazole synthesis - an update (2013-2023)

The interest of scientists in the carbazole core has risen steadily over the last 30 years, particularly over the last decade given its presence in several active pharmaceutical ingredients, functional materials and a wide range of biologically active natural products. The continuous development of more efficient, more (regio-)selective and "greener" methodologies to access the carbazole core is thus imperative. This review compares and evaluates synthetic strategies towards the carbazole core that have been reported since 2013, with a focus on their applicability towards the total synthesis of carbazole-containing natural products.

Iodine-Catalyzed Annulation Reaction of Ortho-Formylarylketones with Indoles: A General Strategy for the Synthesis of Indolylbenzo[b]carbazoles

The iodine-catalyzed cascade reaction of ortho-formylarylketones with indoles for the synthesis of indolylbenzo[b]carbazoles is reported. The reaction is initiated in the presence of iodine by two successive nucleophilic additions of indoles with an aldehyde group of ortho-formylarylketones, and the ketone does not undergo a nucleophilic addition and only involves in the Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization. A variety of substrates are tested, and the efficiency of this reaction is demonstrated with gram-scale reactions.

Convenient One-Pot Synthesis of 9H-Carbazoles by Microwave Irradiation Employing a Green Palladium-Based Nanocatalyst

An efficient palladium-catalyzed tandem reaction for the one-pot synthesis of 9H-carbazoles under microwave irradiation is developed. This approach involves a sequential Buchwald–Hartwig amination and a direct arylation from affordable and inexpensive anilines and 1,2-dihaloarenes. For the development of this purpose, a novel and magnetically recoverable palladium nanocatalyst supported on a green biochar under ligand-free conditions is used. Compared to other existing palladium-based protocols, the present synthetic methodology shows a drastic reduction in reaction times and excellent compatibility with different functional groups allowing to obtain a small library of 9H-carbazoles in high yields and with good regioselectivity. This procedure represents the first example in the direct synthesis of carbazoles using a heterogeneous palladium nanocatalyst from commercial precursors. To examine the application of this protocol, a direct and scalable synthesis of the bioactive carbazole alkaloid clausenalene from commercially available starting materials is described.

Transition-metal free synthesis of N-aryl carbazoles and their extended analogs

Herein, we describe a facile synthesis of N-arylated carbazoles via ladderization of fluorinated oligophenylenes. The reaction consists of two subsequent nucleophilic substitutions triggered by an electronic transfer from dimsyl anions. The reaction allows the effective one-pot formation of at least six C-N bonds with pronounced selectivity to the C-F bond placement.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Carbazoles by Dehydrogenative Coupling Reaction

A constant current protocol, employing undivided cells, a remarkably low supporting electrolyte concentration, inexpensive electrode materials, and a straightforward precursor synthesis enabling a novel access to N‐protected carbazoles by anodic N,C bond formation using directly generated amidyl radicals is reported. Scalability of the reaction is demonstrated and an easy deblocking of the benzoyl protecting group is presented.

Visible Light-Promoted C–C Bond Formation from Hydroxyaryls in Water

An eco-friendly and direct arylation of hydroxyaryls in water using photoinduced reactions with different substrates (1-bromo-2-naphthol, 1-iodo-2-naphthol, N-(2-iodophenyl)acetamide, 5-bromouracil, 2-iodo-N-methylbenzamide, and 2-iodobenzamide) was studied. For example, π-expanded coumarins, compounds with potential optical applications, were synthesized in very high yield, without the use of toxic reagents, in a one-pot reaction. In addition, we demonstrate that the irradiation source (halogen lamp) can be efficiently replaced by an LED without altering the reaction yield.

Synthesis, structures and photophysical properties of two regioisomeric phenalenocarbazoles

Two regioisomeric phenalenocarbazoles have been synthesized by direct reductive cyclization of 2'-Nitrophenyl-pyrene isomers respectively. Their photophysical properties and crystal structures as well as CV properties were investigated and compared with those of sulfur containing analogues. Although the fluorescence emission properties of 1N are very similar with those of 2N, the HOMO energy level of 1N is 0.16eV higher than that of 2N indicating that 1N has better electron donating ability.

Light-Induced Direct Arylation in the Solid Crystalline State as a Strategy Towards π-Expanded Imidazoles

π-Expanded imidazoles bearing the 2-iodophenyl substituent at position 2 undergo direct photoinduced intramolecular arylation in the solid, crystalline state leading to large non-planar heterocycles. An analogous reaction employing 2-bromophenyl and 2-chlorophenyl substituents is considerably slower. Such processes have never before been demonstrated to occur in crystals and have allowed the efficient synthesizes of structurally unique compounds containing either the phenanthro[9',10':4,5]imidazo[1,2-f]phenanthridine moiety or structurally related skeletons. The reaction occurs in the thin crystalline layers irradiated with UV photons in an almost quantitative manner over 48-72 h. Several previously unknown architectures have been prepared using this methodology. Furthermore, the optical properties of these π-expanded imidazoles can be altered with the addition of heteroatoms and/or electron-donating groups.

One-pot synthesis of carbazoles via tandem C–C cross-coupling and reductive amination

We have developed a highly efficient synthetic route to carbazoles that employs sequential C–C/C–N bond formation via Suzuki cross-coupling and Cadogan cyclization. The developed method is compatible with electron neutral, rich or deficient substrates. The synthetic utility of this method was demonstrated by the concise syntheses of four natural products.

Nano-cuprous oxide catalyzed one-pot synthesis of a carbazole-based STAT3 inhibitor: a facile approach via intramolecular C–N bond formation reactions

In this study, we report the one-pot synthesis of substituted carbazole derivatives using nano cuprous oxide as a catalyst and demonstrated the STAT3 inhibitory activity of new compounds.

Direct synthesis of N-H carbazoles via iridium(III)-catalyzed intramolecular C-H amination

The iridium-catalyzed dehydrogenative cyclization of 2-aminobiphenyls proceeds smoothly in the presence of a copper cocatalyst under air as a terminal oxidant through intramolecular direct C-H amination to produce N-H carbazoles. A similar iridium/copper system can also catalyze the unprecedented dimerization reaction of 2-aminobiphenyl involving 2-fold C-H/N-H couplings.

A regioselective facile synthesis of furo[3,4-b]carbazolones: application to the total synthesis of mafaicheenamine E and claulansine D

1-Hydroxycarbazole-2,3-dicarboxylates have been shown to undergo chemoselective reductive cyclization to furo[3,4-b]carbazolones with LiAlH₄.

Iterative double cyclization reaction by SRN1 mechanism. A theoretical interpretation of the regiochemical outcome of diazaheterocycles

Diazaheterocyclic compounds are prepared in good yields by double cyclization intramolecular S_RN1 reactions from diamines bearing two aryl iodide moieties.