Asymmetric synthesis of dihydrocarbazoles through a Friedel-Crafts alkylation/annulation sequential reaction of indoles

Brønsted acid-promoted synthesis of highly functionalized tetrahydrocarbazoles from diethyl (E)-5-diazo-4-oxohex-2-enedioate

Brønsted acid-promoted synthesis of highly functionalized tetrahydrocarbazoles from indoles and easily accessible diethyl (E)-5-diazo-4-oxohex-2-enedioate has been achieved. Diethyl (E)-5-diazo-4-oxohex-2-enedioate acts as a 1,4-diacceptor and undergoes tandem Michael addition followed by nucleophilic substitution at the diazo carbon with indole in the presence of a strong Brønsted acid.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed Double C-H Functionalization of Indoles with Cyclopropenones via Sequential C-H/C-C/C-H Bond Activation

An unprecedented Rh(III)-catalyzed double C-H functionalization of indoles with cyclopropenones via sequential C-H/C-C/C-H bond activation has been developed. This procedure represents the first example for assembling of cyclopenta[b]indoles utilizing cyclopropenones as 3C synthons. This powerful approach shows excellent chemo- and regioselectivity, wide functional group tolerance, and good reaction yields.

Recent Advances in the Catalytic Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts Reactions of Indoles

Functionalized chiral indole derivatives are privileged and versatile organic frameworks encountered in numerous pharmaceutically active agents and biologically active natural products. The catalytic asymmetric Friedel-Crafts reaction of indoles, catalyzed by chiral metal complexes or chiral organocatalysts, is one of the most powerful and atom-economical approaches to access optically active indole derivatives. Consequently, a wide range of electrophilic partners including α,β-unsaturated ketones, esters, amides, imines, β,γ-unsaturated α-keto- and α-ketiminoesters, ketimines, nitroalkenes, and many others have been successfully employed to achieve a plethora of functionalized chiral indole moieties. In particular, strategies for C-H functionalization in the phenyl of indoles require incorporation of a directing or blocking group in the phenyl or azole ring of indole. The discovery of chiral catalysts which can control enantiodiscrimination has gained a great deal of attention in recent years. This review will provide an updated account on the application of the asymmetric Friedel-Crafts reaction of indoles in the synthesis of diverse chiral indole derivatives, covering the timeframe from 2011 to today.

Formation of Fluorovinyl Spiro-[imidazole-indene] and α-Amino-β-naphthalenones via Rh(III)-Catalyzed Cascade C-H Functionalization

An efficacious method for building fluorovinyl spiro-[imidazole-indene] and α-amino-β-naphthalenone skeletons synchronously has been shown to consist of Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H functionalization between 2H-imidazoles and difluoromethylene alkynes. This protocol demonstrates a practical and straightforward route for installing fluorine elements in the envisioned position of heterocyclic compounds.