Synthesis of bisindolylmethanes and their cytotoxicity properties

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.

Anticancer properties of a new non-oxido vanadium(IV) complex with a catechol-modified 3,3'-diindolylmethane ligand

In order to identify new active drug candidates against cancer diseases we investigated the tumor cell growth inhibition, formation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane damage, cell cycle arrest and DNA binding activity of a new bis(triethylammonium) tris[1,1-bis(indol-3-yl)-1-(3,4-catecholate)methane]vanadate(IV) complex. It exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against various cancer cell lines, showed a stronger DNA binding than cisplatin and led to mitochondrial damage, a formation of reactive oxygen species, and a cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase of cancer cells.

Synthesis of Bis(indolyl)methanes Using Hyper-Cross-Linked Polyaromatic Spheres Decorated with Bromomethyl Groups as Efficient and Recyclable Catalysts

Highly uniform and hyper-cross-linked polyphenanthrene and polypyrene microspheres were synthesized by Friedel-Crafts bromomethylation of phenanthrene (Phn) and pyrene (Py) in the presence of zinc bromide as a catalyst, followed by self-polymerization of bromomethylated Phn and Py. The resultant 3-D carbon microspheres consisting of micro-, meso-, and macropores bear peripheral unreacted bromomethyl groups, which are directly utilized as catalysts to efficiently promote the electrophilic substitution reaction of indoles with aldehydes to yield a variety of bis(indolyl)methanes. The important features of this catalysis are easy catalyst synthesis, high product yields, environmental benignity, short reaction time, broad substrate scope, use of nontoxic solvents, and recyclability.

Fe3O4@SiO2 supported aza-crown ether complex cation ionic liquids: preparation and applications in organic reactions

A series of aza-crown ether ionic liquids supported on magnetic Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ core–shell particles were designed, synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, TEM, TG and FT-IR.

Tungstosulfonic acid as an efficient solid acid catalyst for acylal synthesis for the protection of the aldehydic carbonyl group

Aldehydic carbonyl groups are eco-friendly protected by acetic anhydride using the tungstosulfonic acid catalyst and the deprotection is successful under the similar conditions in the presence of water.

Efficient, Solvent-Free, Multicomponent Method for Organic-Base-Catalyzed Synthesis of β-Phosphonomalonates

An efficient, one-pot, di-n-butylamine-catalyzed, three-component synthesis of β-phosphonomalonates has been developed. A wide range of substrates, including aromatic and fused aromatic aldehydes, were condensed with enolizable C-H activated compounds and dialkylphosphites to give the desired products in excellent yields. This method provides an eco-friendly alternative approach to rapid construction of a diversity-oriented library of β-phosphonomalonates.

Facile synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes catalyzed by α-chymotrypsin

A mild and efficient method catalyzed by α-chymotrypsin was developed for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes through a cascade process between indole and aromatic aldehydes. In the ethanol aqueous solution, a green medium, a wide range of aromatic aldehydes could react with indole to afford the desired products with moderate to good yields (from 68% to 95%) using a little α-chymotrypsin as catalyst.