Efficient Buchwald-Hartwig and nitrene-mediated five-membered ring closure approaches to the total synthesis of quindoline. Unexpected direct conversion of a nitro group into a phosphazene

Two total syntheses of quindoline, which take place through the intermediacy of 3-nitroquinoline derivatives, are reported. The general synthetic sequence involves construction of the latter by mechanochemical condensation of benzaldehydes with 2-amino-nitrostyrene, followed either by reduction of the nitro group of the heterocycle and Buchwald-Hartwig cyclization or by a nitrene-mediated cyclization under solventless conditions. Use of PPh₃ to generate the nitrene resulted in the unprecedented formation of a phosphazene in place of quindoline. This unexpected transformation was explained by means of DFT computations.

Tetrazo[1,2-b]indazoles: Straightforward Access to Nitrogen-Rich Polyaromatics from s-Tetrazines

The straightforward access to a new class of aza-polyaromatics is reported. Starting from readily available fluorinated s-tetrazine, a cyclization process with azide leads to the formation of an unprecedented tetrazo[1,2-b]indazole or a bis-tetrazo[1,2-b]indazole (cis and trans conformers). Based on the new nitrogen core, further N-directed palladium-catalyzed ortho-C-H bond functionalization allows the introduction of halides or acetates. The physicochemical properties of these compounds were studied by a joint experimental/theoretical approach. The tetrazo[1,2-b]indazoles display solid-state π-stacking, low reduction potential, absorption in the visible range up to the near-infrared, and intense fluorescence, depending on the molecular structure.

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.

First total synthesis of chromanone A, preparation of related compounds and evaluation of their antifungal activity against Candida albicans, a biofilm forming agent

A straightforward and convenient approach for the first total syntheses of chromanone A and a related 7-OMe substituted natural product is reported. These unique C-3 substituted 2-hydroxymethyl chromones were recently isolated as fungal metabolites. Chromanone A was synthesized in 25.3% overall yield from the readily available pyrocatechol, whereas the second natural product was prepared in 39.7% global yield. A small library of chromones, including both natural products and some of their synthetic heterocyclic precursors, was evaluated against Candida albicans ATCC 10231, a biofilm forming agent. It was found that 8-methoxy-3-methyl-4-oxo-4H-chromene-2-carbaldehyde, a partially oxidized form of chromanone A, exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration of 7.8 μg mL⁻¹ and significantly inhibited the yeast's virulence factors, including the adherence to buccal epithelial cells and the secretion of phospholipases, as well as the formation of germ tubes and the generation of the hyphal pseudomycelium. In addition, despite the heterocycle exhibiting non-significant inhibition of the formation of the Candida biofilm, it completely inhibited the growth of C. albicans in preformed biofilms at 62.5 μg mL⁻¹.

Chromanone A and its 7-OMe analogue were totally synthesized. 2-Formyl chromanone A derivative inhibited C. albicans and its virulence factors.

Isolation and synthesis of cryptosanguinolentine (isocryptolepine), a naturally-occurring bioactive indoloquinoline alkaloid

Cryptosanguinolentine (isocryptolepine) is one of the minor naturally-occurring monomeric indoloquinoline alkaloids, isolated from the West African climbing shrub Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. The natural product displays such a simple and unique skeleton, which chemists became interested in well before it was found in Nature. Because of its structure and biological activity, the natural product has been targeted for synthesis on numerous occasions, employing a wide range of different strategies. Hence, discussed here are aspects related to the isolation of isocryptolepine, as well as the various approaches toward its total synthesis.

Recent advances and prospects in the metal-free synthesis of quinolines

Metal-free synthesis of quinolines has recently gained attention, and this review focuses on the recent advances in the metal-free synthesis of quinolines.