Solvent-controlled regioselective C(5)-H/N(1)-H bond alkylations of indolines and C(6)-H bond alkylations of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines with para-quinone methides

Solvent-promoted and -controlled regioselective bond alkylation reactions of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with N-H free-indoline and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) under metal-free conditions have been developed. In the presence of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) as the solvent, 1,6-addition alkylation reactions of p-QMs with NH-free indolines and THQs efficiently gave C5-alkylated indolines and C6-alkylated THQs. Using catalytic amounts of HFIP in DCM, the reaction of indolines and p-QMs resulted in the alkylation of indolines at the N1-position. HFIP plays two roles in the reactions: converting the indoline and THQ into bidentate nucleophiles and activating the p-QMs to achieve the 1,6-addition alkylation via hydrogen bond clusters. The indoline and THQ act as a C-nucleophile due to the H-bond clusters between HFIP and the nitrogen atom, whereas upon using catalytic amounts of HFIP, the compounds act as an N-nucleophile. All alkylation products were transformed into the corresponding indoles and quinolines via oxidation in the presence of diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD). Furthermore, the synthetic utilities have been showcased with both the removal of the tert-butyl groups from the C5-alkylated indole products and submission to their Suzuki coupling reactions.

V. K, Reddy VS. Regioselective Allenylation and Propargylation of Various para-Quinone Methides Using Alkynyl Azaarenes as Pronucleophile

We have developed a Brønsted base-mediated regioselective allenylation and propargylation of various para-quinone methides using unfunctionalized 2-alkynyl azaarenes as the pronucleophile. The appropriate choice of a base provides an opportunity...

Dearomatization of 2,3-Disubstituted Indoles via 1,8-Addition of Propargylic (Aza)-para-Quinone Methides

Dearomatization of indole is a useful strategy to access indolimines: a motif widely exists in biologically active molecules and natural products. Herein, an efficient method for the dearomatization of 2,3-disubstituted indoles to generate diverse indolimines with tetrasubstituted allenes is described. This work accomplishes dearomatization of 2,3-disubstituted indoles through 1,8-addition of (aza)-para-quinone methides, which are generated in situ from propargylic alcohols. A series of synthetically useful indolimines containing quaternary carbon centers and tetrasubstituted allenes can be accessed in good yields (up to 99%). Additionally, the separability of product isomers, diversified product transformations, and easy scale-up of the reaction demonstrate the potential application of this method.

Formal (3 + 4)-Annulation of Propargylic p-Quinone Methides with 2-Indolylmethanols: Synthesis of Polysubstituted Indole-Fused Oxepines

A novel Brønsted acid catalyzed 1,8-addition mediated (3 + 4)-annulation of in situ generated propargylic p-quinone methides with 2-indolylmethanols is described. This method provides a convenient and mild approach to structurally interesting and synthetically important polysubstituted indole-fused oxepines in high yields. Moreover, 2-indolylmethanols as four-atom synthons in the (3 + 4)-annulations under Brønsted acid conditions have been explored for the first time.

Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Formal (3+3)-Annulation of Propargylic (Aza)-para-Quinone Methides with 4-Hydroxycoumarins and 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds

Herein, we describe a highly effective 1,8-conjugate-addition-mediated formal (3+3)-annulation of (aza)-para-quinone methides in situ generated from propargylic alcohols with 4-hydroxycoumarins and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds under the catalysis of a Brønsted acid. This methodology affords efficient and practical access to synthetically important and highly functionalized pyranocoumarins and pyrans in excellent yields under mild conditions. Importantly, these products exhibit impressive inhibitory activity toward α-glucosidase.