Synthesis of Quinolines, 2-Quinolones, Phenanthridines, and 6(5H)-Phenanthridinones via Palladium[0]-Mediated Ullmann Cross-Coupling of 1-Bromo-2-nitroarenes with β-Halo-enals, -enones, or -esters

Indoloquinoline Alkaloids as Antimalarials: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities

Malaria infections affect almost half of the world's population, with over 200 million cases reported annually. Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, a plant native to West Africa, has long been used across various regions of Africa for malaria treatment. Chemical analysis has revealed that the plant is abundant in indoloquinolines, which have been shown to possess antimalarial properties. Cryptolepine, neocryptolepine, and isocryptolepine are well-studied indoloquinoline alkaloids known for their potent antimalarial activity. However, their structural rigidity and associated cellular toxicity are major drawbacks for preclinical development. This review focuses on the potential of indoloquinoline alkaloids (cryptolepine, neocryptolepine, and isocryptolepine) as scaffolds in drug discovery. The article delves into their antimalarial effects in vitro and in vivo, as well as their proposed mechanisms of action and structure-activity relationship studies. Several studies aim to improve these leads by reducing cytotoxicity while preserving or enhancing antimalarial activity and gaining insights into their mechanisms of action. These investigations highlight the potential of indoloquinolines as a scaffold for developing new antimalarial drugs.

Approach to Access Benzo[j]phenanthridinones from 1,7-Enynes and Aryldiazonium Salts via a Domino Radical Relay Process Enabled by a P/N-Heteroleptic Cu(I)-Photosensitizer

A mild approach for the synthesis of benzo[j]phenanthridin-6(5H)-one derivatives from 1,7-enynes and aryldiazonium salts has been successfully developed involving a domino radical relay process enabled by a heteroleptic Cu(I)-photosensitizer under visible-light-driven photocatalytic conditions. Mechanistic studies disclosed that the oxidative quenching of the excited state of PS 4 with aryldiazonium salts via an SET process generated aryl radicals, which could play a radical initiator-terminator dual role within the whole radical relay process, namely, at the initial step acting as a radical donor to trigger the radical addition to the olefin moieties of 1,7-enynes while at the final stage serving as a radical acceptor to complete the cyclization.

Synthesis of β-Carbolines with Electrocyclic Cyclization of 3-Nitrovinylindoles

The β-carboline motif is common in drug discovery and among numerous biologically active natural products. However, its synthetic preparation relies on multistep sequences and heavily depends on the type of substitution required in the core of the desired β-carboline target. Herein, we demonstrate that this structural motif can be accessed with the microwave-assisted electrocyclic cyclization of heterotrienic aci (alkylideneazinic acid) forms of 3-nitrovinylindoles. The reaction can start with 3-nitrovinylindoles themselves under two sets of conditions. The first one involves microwave irradiation of butanolic solutions of 3-nitrovinylindoles, whereas the second one consists of prior Boc protection of indolic nitrogen, where the protecting group cleanly comes off during the course of the reaction. Alternatively, the reaction can start with 3-nitrovinylindoles prepared in situ using various processes. Finally, the reaction may utilize indoles with β-nitrostyrenes, likely involving the intermediacy of spirocyclic oxazolines, which rearrange to similar heterotrienic systems undergoing cyclization to β-carbolines. As part of this study, several natural products, namely, alkaloids norharmane, harmane, and eudistomin N, were synthesized.

A unified approach to benzo[c]phenanthridines via the cascade dual-annulation/formylation of 2-alkynyl/alkenylbenzonitriles

A base-mediated versatile cascade dual-annulation and formylation of 2-alkenyl/alkynylbenzonitriles with 2-methylbenzonitriles has been established for the construction of four different classes of amino and amido substituted benzo[c]phenanthridines and benzo[c]phenanthrolines. The synthesized molecules could be of utmost relevance in pharmaceuticals. The transformation uses the solvent DMF as the formyl source for synthesis of the amido-substituted scaffolds. This transition-metal-free unique strategy enables the formation of multiple C-C and C-N bonds in one pot at room temperature.

Synthesis of Indenoquinolinones and 2-Substituted Quinolines via [4 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction

We have reported a metal-free protocol for the synthesis of indenoquinolinones and 2-substituted quinolines via [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction using readily available 2-aminobenzaldehydes and ketones as starting materials. Different quinoline derivatives can be selectively synthesized by changing the type of ketones. O₂ and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as co-oxidants play an important role in the synthesis of indenoquinolinones. This condensation/oxidation strategy involves the formation of C-N, C-C, and C-O bonds, with the advantages of high yields and a broad substrate range.

Nitrovinylindoles as Heterotrienes: Electrocyclic Cyclization En Route to β-Carbolines: Total Synthesis of Alkaloids Norharmane, Harmane, and Eudistomin N

Unusual cascade transformation was developed involving microwave assisted electrocyclic cyclization of aci (alkylideneazinic acid) forms of nitrovinylindoles acting as heterotrienes. Subsequent one-pot reduction allowed for efficient access to β-carbolines, including several natural products, alkaloids norharmane, harmane and eudistomin N.

One-Pot Preparation of (NH)-Phenanthridinones and Amide-Functionalized [7]Helicene-like Molecules from Biaryl Dicarboxylic Acids

A one-pot transformation of biaryl dicarboxylic acids to (NH)-phenanthridinone derivatives based on a Curtius rearrangement and subsequent basic hydrolysis was developed. This method is also applicable for the preparation of optically active amide-functionalized [7]helicene-like molecules. Furthermore, aza[5]helicene derivatives with a phosphate moiety were isolated as a product of the Curtius rearrangement step in the case of substrates that bear chalcogen atoms. The stereostructures of these products, revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis, suggested that chalcogen-bonding and pnictogen-bonding interactions might contribute to their stabilization. The configurational stability of the helicene-like molecules and their chiroptical properties were further investigated.

A Compilation of Synthetic Strategies to Access the Most Utilized Indoloquinoline Motifs

Indoloquinoline alkaloids constitute an important class of aromatic heterocycles consisting of quinoline and indole fused together in various orientations. These compounds, both natural and synthetic, often display various bioactivities which have established them to be one of the interesting medicinal targets. This class of compounds have stimulated much interest among synthetic and medicinal chemists as evidenced by growth in the number of synthetic methods to prepare and study this class of alkaloids. This review compiles the synthetic strategies and methods currently known in the literature for the construction of four important indoloquinoline skeletons.

Ready access to 7,8-dihydroindolo[2,3-d][1]benzazepine-6(5H)-one scaffold and analogues via early-stage Fischer ring-closure reaction

Paullone isomers are known as inhibitors of tubulin polymerase and cyclin dependent kinases (Cdks), which are potential targets for cancer chemotherapy. Herein we report an efficient and clean pathway to the fourth isomer, which remained elusive so far, namely 7,8-dihydroindolo[2,3-d][1]benzazepin-6(5H)-one. Moreover, we demonstrate the generality of our pathway by synthesizing two closely related analogues, one containing a bromo substituent and the other one incorporating an 8-membered instead of a 7-membered ring. The key transformation in this four-step synthesis, with an overall yield of 29%, is the Fischer indole reaction of 2-nitrophenylacetyl acetoacetate with 1-benzyl-1-phenylhydrazine in acetic acid that delivers methyl 2-(1-benzyl-3-(2-nitrophenyl)-1H-indol-2-yl)acetate in 55% yield.

The Inhibition of RNA Viruses by Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids: Opportunities for the Development of Broad-Spectrum Anti-Coronavirus Drugs

The global COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of millions and disrupted nearly every aspect of human society. Currently, vaccines remain the only widely available medical means to address the cause of the pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Unfortunately, current scientific consensus deems the emergence of vaccine-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants highly likely. In this context, the design and development of broad-spectrum, small-molecule based antiviral drugs has been described as a potentially effective, alternative medical strategy to address circulating and re-emerging CoVs. Small molecules are well-suited to target the least-rapidly evolving structures within CoVs such as highly conserved RNA replication enzymes, and this renders them less vulnerable to evolved drug resistance. Examination of the vast literature describing the inhibition of RNA viruses by Amaryllidaceae alkaloids suggests that future, broad-spectrum anti-CoV drugs may be derived from this family of natural products.

Synthesis of indenophenanthridine via a [4+2] annulation strategy: a “turn-off’’ Fe3+ ion sensor, practical application in live cell imaging and reversible acidochromism studies

An efficient protocol has been developed for the synthesis of a novel fluorescent probe, 1,2-disubstituted-indeno[1,2,3-gh]phenanthridine, derived from a series of α-oxo-ketene dithioacetals (OKDTAs) and indenoquinoline under essential conditions via a [4+2] annulation in excellent yield.

Iridium-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral C2 and C3 Dual C-H Functionalization of Indoles with Nitrones toward 7H-Indolo[2,3-c]quinolines

An iridium-catalyzed redox-neutral C-2 and C-3 dual C-H functionalization of indoles with nitrones has been developed, furnishing a range of 7H-indolo[2,3-c]quinolines with high efficiency and regioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. Notably, sequential multiple C-H bond cleavage and C-C bond formation constitute the key events of this process, in which nitrone serves as a building block and an oxidant. Distinct from the previous methods toward 7H-indolo[2,3-c]quinolines, this newly developed reaction features readily available substrates, operational simplicity, broad scope, good to high efficiency, and excellent regioselectivity.

Synthetic Strategies in the Preparation of Phenanthridinones

Phenanthridinones are important heterocyclic frameworks present in a variety of complex natural products, pharmaceuticals and displaying wide range of pharmacological actions. Its structural importance has evoked a great deal of interest in the domains of organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry to develop new synthetic methodologies, as well as novel compounds of pharmaceutical interest. This review focuses on the synthesis of phenanthridinone scaffolds by employing aryl-aryl, N-aryl, and biaryl coupling reactions, decarboxylative amidations, and photocatalyzed reactions.

Pd(0)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Heck reaction of 2/3-Aryl(amino)methyl-3/2-bromoindoles: Syntheses of 3,4-Benzo[c]-β-carbolines, Benzo[4,5]isothiazolo[2,3-a]indole 5,5-Dioxides, and 1,2-Benzo[a]-γ-carbolines

One-pot synthesis of 3,4-benzo[c]-β-carbolines was achieved from 2-aryl(tosylamino)methyl-3-bromoindoles via 10 mol % Pd(OAc)₂/PPh₃-mediated intramolecular Heck coupling using K₂CO₃ as a base in DMF at 110 °C with concomitant aromatization through an elimination of tosylsulfinic acid. Under identical conditions, the isomeric 3-aryl(tosylamino)methyl-2-bromoindoles upon intramolecular Heck reaction furnished benzo[4,5]isothiazolo[2,3-a]indole 5,5-dioxides instead of the expected γ-carbolines. However, synthesis of the expected γ-carboline framework, 3-tosyl-6,9-dihydro-1,2-benzo[a]-γ-carbolines, could be achieved from 3-aryl(tosylamino)methyl-2-bromoindoles containing a mesitylene sulfonyl unit as a protecting group on the indole nitrogen.

Discovery of 7-aminophenanthridin-6-one as a new scaffold for matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors with multitarget neuroprotective activity

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent hydrolytic enzymes of great biological relevance, and some of them are key to the neuroinflammatory events and the brain damage associated to stroke. Non-zinc binding ligands are an emerging trend in drug discovery programs in this area due to their lower tendency to show off-target effects. 7-Amino-phenanthridin-6-one is disclosed as a new framework able to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases by binding to the distal part of the enzyme S1' site, as shown by computational studies. A kinetic study revealed inhibition to be noncompetitive. Some of the compounds showed some degree of selectivity for the MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes, which are crucial for brain damage associated to ischemic stroke. Furthermore, some compounds also had a high neuroprotective activity against oxidative stress, which is also very relevant aspect of ischaemic stroke pathogenesis, both decreasing lipid peroxidation and protecting against the oxidative stress-induced reduction in cell viability. One of the compounds, bearing a 2-thienyl substituent at C-9 and a 4-methoxyphenylamino at C-7, had the best-balanced multitarget profile and was selected as a lead on which to base future structural manipulation.

Organocatalyst in Direct C(sp2)-H Arylation of Unactivated Arenes: [1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-piperazine]-Catalyzed Inter-/Intra-molecular C-H Bond Activation

This article describes the identification of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-piperazine as a new, cost-effective, highly efficient organocatalyst, which promotes both inter- and intra-molecular direct C(_sp²)-H arylations of unactivated arenes in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide. While the inter-molecular C-H arylation of unactivated benzenes with aryl halides (Ar-X; X = I, Br, Cl) toward biaryl syntheses underwent smoothly in the presence of only 10 mol % organocatalyst, the intra-molecular C-H arylation catalytic system composed of 40 mol % each of the catalyst and the additive (4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)). The novel catalyst was also able to perform both inter- and intra-molecular direct arylations simultaneously in a single pot. The mechanistic studies confirmed the involvement of aryl radical anions and proceeded via a single-electron-transfer (SET) mechanism. The large substrate scope, high functional group tolerance, competition experiments, gram-scale synthesis, and kinetic studies further highlight the importance and versatile nature of the methodology as well as the compatibility of the new catalyst. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on any organocatalyst that reported detailed investigations of both inter- and intra-molecular direct C(_sp²)-H arylations of unactivated arenes in a single representation.

Palladium-Catalysed Synthesis and Transformation of Quinolones

Palladium-catalysed reactions have had a large impact on synthetic organic chemistry and have found many applications in target-oriented synthesis. Their widespread use in organic synthesis is due to the mild conditions associated with the reactions together with their tolerance of a wide range of functional groups. Moreover, these types of reactions allow the rapid construction of complex molecules through multiple bond-forming reactions in a single step, the so-called tandem processes. Pd-catalysed reactions have been applied to the synthesis of a large number of natural products and bioactive compounds, some of them of complex molecular structures. This review article aims to present an overview of the most important Pd-catalysed reactions employed in the synthesis and transformations of quinolin-2(1H)-ones and quinolin-4(1H)-ones. These compounds are widely recognized by their diverse bioactivity, being privileged structures in medicinal chemistry and useful structural moieties for the development of new drug candidates. Furthermore, they hold significant interest due to their host⁻guest chemistry; applications in chemical, biochemical and environmental analyses and use in the development of new synthetic methods. In some cases, the quinolone formation step cannot be ascribed to a claimed Pd-catalysed reaction but this reaction is crucial to get the appropriate substrate for cyclization into the quinolone. Herein we present and discuss different economical, efficient and selective synthetic strategies to access quinolone-type compounds.

Weak Base-Promoted Lactamization under Microwave Irradiation: Synthesis of Quinolin-2(1H)-ones and Phenanthridin-6(5H)-ones

Quinolin-2(1H)-ones and phenanthridin-6(5H)-ones are synthesized in high yields by K₂CO₃-promoted cyclization of N-aryl-β-bromo-α,β-unsaturated amides and N-aryl-2-bromobenzamides in dimethylformamide under microwave irradiation.

The Palladium-Catalyzed Ullmann Cross-Coupling Reaction: A Modern Variant on a Time-Honored Process

Cross-coupling reactions, especially those that are catalyzed by palladium, have revolutionized the way in which carbon-carbon bonds can be formed. The most commonly deployed variants of such processes are the Suzuki-Miyaura, Mizoroki-Heck, Stille, and Negishi cross-coupling reactions, and these normally involve the linking of an organohalide or pseudohalide (such as a triflate or nonaflate) with an organo-metallic or -metalloid such as an organo-boron, -magnesium, -tin, or -zinc species. Since the latter type of coupling partner is often prepared from the corresponding halide, methods that allow for the direct cross-coupling of two distinct halogen-containing compounds would provide valuable and more atom-economical capacities for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds. While the venerable Ullmann reaction can in principle achieve this, it has a number of drawbacks, the most significant of which is that homocoupling of the reaction partners is a competitive, if not the dominant, process. Furthermore, such reactions normally occur only under forcing conditions (viz., often at temperatures in excess of 250 °C). As such, the Ullmann reaction has seen only limited application in this regard, especially as a mid- to late-stage feature of complex natural product synthesis. This Account details the development of the palladium-catalyzed Ullmann cross-coupling reaction as a useful method for the assembly of a range of heterocyclic systems relevant to medicinal and/or natural products chemistry. These couplings normally proceed under relatively mild conditions (<100 °C) over short periods of time and, usually, to the exclusion of (unwanted) homocoupling events. The keys to success are the appropriate choice of coupling partners, the form of the copper metal employed, and the choice of reaction solvent. At the present time, the cross-coupling partners capable of engaging in the title reaction are confined to halogenated and otherwise electron-deficient arenes and, as complementary reactants, α- or β-halogenated, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, ketones, esters, lactones, lactams, and cycloimides. Nitro-substituted (and halogenated) arenes, in particular, serve as effective participants in these reactions, and the products of their coupling with the above-mentioned carbonyl-containing systems can be manipulated in a number of different ways. Depending on the positional relationship between the nitro and carbonyl groups in the cross-coupling product, the reduction of the former group, which can be achieved under a range of different conditions, provides, through intramolecular nucleophilic addition reactions, including Schiff base condensations, access to a diverse range of heterocyclic systems. These include indoles, quinolines, quinolones, isoquinolines, carbazoles, and carbolines. Tandem variants of such cyclization processes, in which Raney cobalt is used as a catalyst for the chemoselective reduction (by dihydrogen) of nitro and nitrile groups (but not olefins), allow for the assembly of a range of structurally challenging natural products, including marinoquinoline A, (±)-1-acetylaspidoalbidine, and (±)-gilbertine.

Palladium-Catalyzed Ullmann Cross-Coupling of β-Iodoenones and β-Iodoacrylates with o-Halonitroarenes or o-Iodobenzonitriles and Reductive Cyclization of the Resulting Products To Give Diverse Heterocyclic Systems

The palladium-catalyzed Ullmann cross-coupling of β-iodoenones and β-iodoacrylates such as 5 (X = I) with o-halonitroarenes and o-iodobenzonitriles including 2 affords products such as compound 7. These can be engaged in a range of reductive cyclization reactions leading to heterocyclic frameworks such as 3,4-benzomorphan derivative 43.

A Pd-catalyzed, boron ester-mediated, reductive cross-coupling of two aryl halides to synthesize tricyclic biaryls

A direct cross-coupling of two different aryl halides in the presence of a palladium catalyst and boron ester was developed to synthesize tricyclic biaryls in one step.

Pd-catalyzed dehydrogenative annulation approach for the efficient synthesis of phenanthridinones

A novel Pd-catalyzed intermolecular dehydrogenative annulation of aryl iodides and aryl carbamic chlorides for the efficient synthesis of phenanthridinone derivatives was developed. Simple aryl iodides and carbamic chlorides readily made from various anilines, a broad substrate scope with hetero/polycycles, as well as high-value products, make this direct dehydrogenative annulation approach very practical and attractive.

A convenient approach to an advanced intermediate toward the naturally occurring, bioactive 6-substituted 5-hydroxy-4-aryl-1H-quinolin-2-ones

An advanced intermediate for the total synthesis of the 5-hydroxy-4-aryl-3,4-dihydro-1H-quinolin-2-one natural products and a 3,4-bisdesoxy analog of peniprequinolone were synthesized.

Hydride-induced anionic cyclization: an efficient method for the synthesis of 6-H-phenanthridines via a transition-metal-free process

A novel procedure for hydride-induced anionic cyclization has been developed. It includes the reduction of a biaryl bromo-nitrile with a nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S(N)Ar). A range of polysubstituted 6-H-phenanthridines were so obtained in moderate to good yield with good substrate tolerance. This method involves a concise transition-metal-free process and was applied to synthesize natural alkaloids.

Synthesis of indolo[1,2-f]phenanthridines by Pd-catalyzed domino C–N coupling/hydroamination/C–H arylation reactions

Indolo[1,2-f]phenanthridines were prepared by Pd-catalyzed domino C–N coupling/hydroamination/C–H arylation reactions.

Lamellar Ni/Al-SBA-15 fibers: preparation, characterization, and applications as highly efficient catalysts for amine and imine syntheses

A novel lamellar Ni/Al-SBA-15 fiber catalyst was prepared and successfully utilized in one-pot syntheses of amines and imines.

Tandem catalytic oxidative deacetylation of acetoacetic esters and heteroaromatic cyclizations

Coupling of ethyl acetoacetate with MVK and with 2-nitrobenzyl bromides, Mn(iii)/Co(ii)-catalyzed deacetylation, and heterocyclizations provide pyrroles and indoles, respectively.

An efficient synthesis of (NH)-phenanthridinones via ligand-free copper-catalyzed annulation

An efficient and concise procedure for the ligand-free copper-catalyzed cascade reaction of C–O and C–N bond coupling was developed to afford various (NH)-phenanthridinones.

Palladium-catalyzed cyclization of benzamides with arynes: application to the synthesis of phenaglydon and N-methylcrinasiadine

N-Methyl or methoxy substituted benzamides reacted with benzynes in the presence of a palladium catalyst, yielding tricyclic N-methyl or N-methoxy substituted phenanthridinones.