Transition metal-free efficient synthesis of bis(indolyl)propynes (BIPs)

A transition metal-free approach has been devised for the synthesis of a variety of bis(indolyl)propyne (BIP) derivatives. The strategy involves an iodine-catalyzed cascade condensation of α,β-unsaturated acetylenic aldehydes with diversely substituted indoles. The strategy was applicable to gram scale synthesis and a library of 50 molecules, which were afforded in good to excellent yields (up to 96%), was developed. The salient features of the reaction involve the synthesis of indole based privileged scaffolds in a short reaction time under transition metal-free conditions, with a wide substrate scope and excellent yields under ambient conditions.

Green electrosynthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives in deep eutectic solvents

In this study, a new green method was developed for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives using electrochemical bisarylation reaction in deep eutectic solvents as a green alternative to traditional solvents and electrolytes. The effects of varying time, current, type of solvent and material of electrodes were all studied. The optimum reaction conditions involved the use of ethylene glycol/choline chloride with a ratio of 2:1 at 80 °C for 45 min. Graphite and platinum were used as cathode and anode, respectively. The newly developed method offered many advantages such as using mild reaction conditions, short reaction time and affording high product yields with a wide range of substituted aromatic aldehydes bearing electron donating or electron withdrawing substituents. In addition, the electrochemical method proved to be more effective than heating in deep eutectic solvents and afforded higher yields of products in shorter reaction time. The mechanism of the electrochemical reaction was proposed and confirmed using the cyclic voltammetry study.

Green and sustainable approaches for the Friedel-Crafts reaction between aldehydes and indoles

The synthesis of indoles and their derivatives, more specifically bis(indolyl)methanes (BIMs), has been an area of great interest in organic chemistry, since these compounds exhibit a range of interesting biological and pharmacological properties. BIMs are naturally found in cruciferous vegetables and have been shown to be effective antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and even anticancer agents. Traditionally, the synthesis of BIMs has been achieved upon the acidic condensation of an aldehyde with indole, utilizing a variety of protic or Lewis acids. However, due to the increased environmental awareness of our society, the focus has shifted towards the development of greener synthetic technologies, like photocatalysis, organocatalysis, the use of nanocatalysts, microwave irradiation, ball milling, continuous flow, and many more. Thus, in this review, we summarize the medicinal properties of BIMs and the developed BIM synthetic protocols, utilizing the reaction between aldehydes with indoles, while focusing on the more environmentally friendly methods developed over the years.

Dicoumarol: from chemistry to antitumor benefits

Dicoumarol, a coumarin-like compound, is known for its anticoagulant properties associated with the ability to inhibit vitamin K, being prescribed as a drug for several decades. The pharmaceutical value of dicoumarol turned it into a focus of chemists' attention, aiming its synthesis and of dicoumarol derivatives, bringing to light new methodologies. In recent years, several other bioactive effects have been claimed for dicoumarol and its derivatives, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer, although the mechanisms of action underlying them are mostly not disclosed and additional research is needed to unravel them. This review presents a state of the art on the chemistry of dicoumarols, and their potential anticancer characteristics, highlighting the mechanisms of action elucidated so far. In parallel, we draw attention to the lack of in vivo studies and clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy as drugs for later application.

Meglumine-Promoted Eco-Compatible Pseudo-Three-Component Reaction for the Synthesis of 1,1-Dihomoarylmethane Scaffolds and Their Green Credentials

A simple, straightforward, and energy-efficient greener route for the synthesis of a series of biologically interesting functionalized 1,1-dihomoarylmethane scaffolds has been developed in the presence of meglumine as an efficient and eco-friendly organo-catalyst via one-pot pseudo-three-component reaction at room temperature. Following this protocol, it is possible to synthesize 1,1-dihomoarylmethane scaffolds of an assortment of C-H activated acids such as dimedone, 1,3-cyclohexadione, 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone, 4-hydroxycoumarin, and 1-phenyl-3-methyl-pyrazolone. The salient features of the present green protocol are mild reaction conditions, good to excellent yields, operational simplicity, easy isolation of products, no cumbersome post treatment, high atom economy, and low E-factor. In addition, this chemistry portrays several green advantages including the reusability of reaction media and product scalability, which makes protocol sustainably efficient. Additionally, several control experiments such as protection of catalyst reactive site, D₂O exchange, and ¹H NMR studies revealed possible pathways for meglumine-promoted reactions. Inspired by the natural physiological environment of 1,1-dihomoarylmethane scaffolds, we reconnoitered the biological profile of our compounds and synthesized compounds that were promising for their antiproliferative and antibacterial activities.

NiII NPs entrapped within a matrix of l-glutamic acid cross-linked chitosan supported on magnetic carboxylic acid-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube: a new and efficient multi-task catalytic system for the green one-pot synthesis of diverse heterocyclic frameworks

In the present study, a new l-glutamic acid cross-linked chitosan supported on magnetic carboxylic acid-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (Fe₃O₄/f-MWCNT-CS-Glu) nanocomposite was prepared through a convenient one-pot multi-component sequential strategy. Then, nickel^II nanoparticles (Ni^II NPs) were entrapped within a matrix of the mentioned nanocomposite. Afterward, the structure of the as-prepared Fe₃O₄/f-MWCNT-CS-Glu/Ni^II nanosystem was elucidated by various techniques, including FT-IR, PXRD, SEM, TEM, SEM-based EDX and elemental mapping, ICP-OES, TGA/DTA, and VSM. In the next part of this research, the catalytic applications of the mentioned nickel^II-containing magnetic nanocomposite were assessed upon green one-pot synthesis of diverse heterocyclic frameworks, including bis-coumarins (3a–n), 2-aryl(or heteroaryl)-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones (5a–r), 9-aryl-3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-3,4,5,6,7,9-hexahydro-1H-xanthene-1,8(2H)-diones (7a–n), and 2-amino-4-aryl-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles (9a–n). The good-to-excellent yields of the desired products, satisfactory reaction rates, use of water solvent or solvent-free reaction medium, acceptable turnover numbers (TONs) and turnover frequencies (TOFs), along with comfortable recoverability and satisfying reusability of the as-prepared nanocatalyst for at least eight successive runs, and also easy work-up and purification procedures are some of the advantages of the current synthetic protocols.

In this research work, an Fe₃O₄/f-MWCNT-CS-Glu/Ni^II hybrid nanocomposite was synthesized, characterized, and used as a new and efficient multi-task catalytic system for the green one-pot synthesis of diverse heterocyclic frameworks.

Diverse and efficient catalytic applications of new cockscomb flower-like Fe3O4@SiO2@KCC-1@MPTMS@CuII mesoporous nanocomposite in the environmentally benign reduction and reductive acetylation of nitroarenes and one-pot synthesis of some coumarin compounds

In this research, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@KCC-1@MPTMS@Cu^II as a new cockscomb flower-like mesoporous nanocomposite was prepared and characterized by various techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), SEM-based energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) analyses. The as-prepared Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@KCC-1@MPTMS@Cu^II mesoporous nanocomposite exhibited satisfactory catalytic activity in the reduction and reductive acetylation of nitroarenes in a water medium and solvent-free one-pot synthesis of some coumarin compounds including 3,3'-(arylmethylene)bis(4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-ones) (namely, bis-coumarins) (3a-n) and 2-amino-4-aryl-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles (6a-n) along with acceptable turnover numbers (TONs) and turnover frequencies (TOFs). Furthermore, the mentioned Cu^II-containing mesoporous nanocatalyst was conveniently recovered by a magnet from reaction environments and reused for at least seven cycles without any significant loss in activity, which confirms its good stability.

Chickpea leaf exudates: a green Brønsted acid type biosurfactant for bis(indole)methane and bis(pyrazolyl)methane synthesis

A clean and highly efficient protocol for green synthesis of bis(indole)methanes and bis(pyrazolyl)methanes has been successfully achieved by using a naturally sourced bio-surfactant, chickpea leaf exudates (CLE), as a Brønsted acid-type catalyst.

The molecular diversity scope of 4-hydroxycoumarin in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds via multicomponent reactions

4-Hydroxycoumarins are some of the most versatile heterocyclic scaffolds and are frequently applied in the synthesis of various organic compounds. 4-Hydroxycoumarin-based compounds are important among heterocyclic structures due to their biological and pharmaceutical activities. In this study, we provide an overview on the recent applications of 4-hydroxycoumarin in multicomponent reactions for the synthesis of various heterocyclic compounds during the time period of 2015-2018.

Thiamine hydrochloride as a recyclable organocatalyst for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes, tris(indolyl)methanes, 3,3-di(indol-3-yl)indolin-2-ones and biscoumarins

Thiamine hydrochloride was identified as an eco-friendly organocatalyst for the synthesis of a broad range of bis(indolyl)methanes, tris(indolyl)methanes, 3,3-di(indol-3-yl)indolin-2-ones and biscoumarin derivatives in good to excellent yields.

A one-pot synthesis of 2,2'-disubstituted diindolylmethanes (DIMs) via a sequential Sonogashira coupling and cycloisomerization/C3-functionalization of 2-iodoanilines

A Pd(ii)-Ag(i) catalyzed highly efficient synthesis of diindolylmethane has been developed. This transformation consists of a one-pot sequential Sonogashira coupling (and desilylation) followed by cycloisomerization/C3-functionalization of 2-iodoanilines. Six new bonds (four C-C and two C-N) are formed in a one-pot fashion. A variety of diindolylmethanes were obtained in excellent yields (up to 94%) under mild reaction conditions and this strategy is amenable to gram scale synthesis also. The products were transformed into various synthetically useful compounds.