Synthesis 2020; 52(08): 1215-1222
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1690241
special topic
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A Base-Promoted One-Pot Asymmetric Friedel–Crafts Alkylation/Michael Addition of 4-Substituted Indoles

Robert Connon
a   Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Center (SSPC), School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
b   Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology (CSCB), School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland   Email: p.guiry@ucd.ie
,
Laura Carroll
b   Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology (CSCB), School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland   Email: p.guiry@ucd.ie
,
Patrick J. Guiry
a   Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Center (SSPC), School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
b   Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology (CSCB), School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland   Email: p.guiry@ucd.ie
› Author Affiliations
This publication has emanated from research conducted (RC) with the financial support of the Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC), funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under Grant No. 12\RC\2275) and is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund under Grant No. 14/SP/2750. We acknowledge facilities provided by the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology (CSCB) funded by the Higher Education Authority’s PRTLI.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 23 August 2019

Accepted after revision: 16 October 2019

Publication Date:
30 October 2019 (online)


Dedicated with respect and admiration to Professor Mark Lautens, a good friend and brilliant chemist, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

Published as part of the Special Topic Domino C–H Functionalization/Cascade Catalysis

Abstract

Herein, we report a base-promoted Zn(II)–bis(oxazoline)-catalyzed one-pot Friedel–Crafts alkylation/Michael addition of 3-(indol-4-yl)acrylonitrile derivatives with trans-β-nitrostyrenes to yield the tricyclic core of the ergoline skeleton in up to 71% yield and 85% ee. During the purification of 3-(indol-4-yl)acrylonitrile, the key substrate for catalytic studies, a novel trans-cis-trans-cyclobutane derivative, thought to be formed via a [2+2] light-promoted cycloaddition, was identified by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Finally, a novel class of 4-substituted bis(indole)methane derivatives were serendipitously prepared in excellent yield by reacting 4-substituted indole derivatives with 4-nitrobenzaldehyde. One bis(indole)methane was characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Supporting Information

 
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