Synthesis of Indolines via Base-Mediated C-H Activation and Defluorinative C-N Coupling, with no Need for Transition-Metals.

Syntheses of (partially) aromatic nitrogen heterocycles increasingly rely on transition-metal catalyzed C-C- and C-N-cross-coupling reactions. Here we describe a different approach to the synthesis of indolines by a domino C(sp3)-H activation, 1,2-addition, and defluorinative SNAr-cyclization sequence to provide the target 1,2-diarylindolines (1,2-diaryl-2,3-dihydroindoles) from ortho-fluorinated methyl-arenes and N-aryl imines (benzylidene anilines) in a cyclocondensation that is mediated by potassium hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS) as base exclusively. This transition-metal-free process via C-H and C-F bond activation provides a one-step entry into a wide array of indoline scaffolds (43 examples, up to 96 % yield). This privileged substructure is common in natural products and pharmaceuticals alike, and cannot be accessed by traditional condensation reactions.

Switchable Selectivity in the Annulation of o-Trifluoroacetylanilines and Activated Terminal Alkynes Based on Transition Metal and Phosphine Catalysis.

In this work, we have developed selective methods for the synthesis of quinoline-2-carboxylates and quinoline-3-carboxylates as well as (indolin-2-ylidene)acetates through copper-, silver-, or phosphine-catalyzed reaction of propiolates with 2'-amino-2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenones. The approaches proposed ensure synthesis of substituted quinoline carboxylates and (indolin-2-ylidene)acetates in good yields. Introduction of alkynones into the reaction with 2'-amino-2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenones gives acyl substituted derivatives in good yields.

Oxy- and Chloroarylation Pathways in Gold-Mediated Cyclization of 2-Aminoaryl-3-arylpropargyl-benzenesulfonamides.

A one-pot diazotization/gold-mediated cyclization of 2-aminoaryl-3-arylpropargyl-benzenesulfonamides is described. After diazotization, Me2 SAuCl triggers an oxy- and/or chloroarylation of the alkyne moiety, resulting in the formation of 3-acylindoles and/or Z-3-(chloromethylene)indolines. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations show the significant energetic preference of both processes over an insertion pathway. Notably, a Z-3-(chloromethylene)indoline crystallized with [Cl-Au-Cl],- exhibiting Au⋅⋅⋅H-C short contacts.

Direct Synthesis of Unprotected Indolines Through Intramolecular sp3 C-H Amination Using Nitroarenes as Aryl Nitrene Precursors.

Given the prevalence of molecules containing nitro groups in organic synthesis, innovative methods to expand the reactivity of this functional group are of interest in both industrial and academic settings. In this report, a metal-free intramolecular benzylic sp3 C-H amination is disclosed using aryl nitro compounds as aryl nitrene precursors. Organosilicon reagent N,N'-bis(trimethylsilyl)-4,4'-bipyridinylidene (Si-DHBP) served as an efficient reductant in the transformation, enabling the in situ generation of aryl nitrene species for the direct, metal-free synthesis of unprotected 2-arylindolines from the corresponding nitroarene compounds.

Iridium-Catalysed Transfer Hydrogenation of 1,8-Naphthyridine with Indoline: Access to Functionalized N-Heteroarenes.

An iridium-catalysed hydrogen transfer strategy, enabling straightforward access to tetrahydro pyridine derivatives from aryl-1,8-naphthyridines and indolines, was developed. This method proceeds with unprecedented synthetic effectiveness including high step-economic fashion together with the advantages of having no by-product and no need for external high-pressure H2 gas, offering an important basis for the transformation of 1,8-naphthyridines and indolines into functionalized products.

Catalytic Atroposelective C7 Functionalisation of Indolines and Indoles.

Axially chiral atropisomeric compounds are widely applied in asymmetric catalysis and medicinal chemistry. In particular, axially chiral indole- and indoline-based frameworks have been recognised as important heterobiaryl classes because they are the core units of bioactive natural alkaloids, chiral ligands and bioactive compounds. Among them, the synthesis of C7-substituted indole biaryls and the analogous indoline derivatives is particularly challenging, and methods for their efficient synthesis are in high demand. Transition-metal catalysis is considered one of the most efficient methods to construct atropisomers. Here, we report the enantioselective synthesis of C7-indolino- and C7-indolo biaryl atropisomers by means of C-H functionalisation catalysed by chiral RhJasCp complexes.

Unbiased C3-Electrophilic Indoles: Triflic Acid Mediated C3-Regioselective Hydroarylation of N-H Indoles.

The direct dearomative addition of arenes to the C3 position of unprotected indoles is reported under operationally simple conditions, using triflic acid at room temperature. The present regioselective hydroarylation is a straightforward manner to generate an electrophilic indole at the C3 position from unbiased indoles in sharp contrast to previous strategies. This atom-economical method delivers biologically relevant 3-arylindolines and 3,3-spiroindolines in high yields and regioselectivities from both intra- and intermolecular processes. DFT computations suggest the stabilization of cationic or dicationic intermediates with H-bonded (TfOH)n clusters.

Allenamide-Initiated Cascade [2+2+2] Annulation Enabling the Divergent Total Synthesis of (-)-Deoxoapodine, (-)-Kopsifoline†D and (±)-Melotenine†A.

A facile method for the construction of the aspidosperma core from indoles functionalized with a nonterminal N-allenamide and dimethyl methylenemalonate is described. Various polysubstituted tetracyclic spiroindolines (27 examples) were afforded in good yields (61-90 %) with >99/1 dr and >99/1 Z/E selectivity under mild conditions. The annulation reaction provides straightforward access to the tetracyclic spiroindoline skeleton with substituents at the C5 position occurring in many natural products. As an application of this reaction, the total synthesis of three important natural products, (-)-deoxoapodine, (-)-kopsifoline D and (±)-melotenine A, was possible in short routes from tryptamine.

Total Synthesis of Spiro[cyclohexane-2-indoline] Alkaloids: A Regio- and Diastereoselective Spirocyclization Approach.

A direct spirocyclization approach for the chemical synthesis of spiro[cyclohexane-2-indoline] alkaloids is reported. The absolute stereochemistry was introduced by a desymmetrizing Dieckmann condensation, and the relative stereochemistry was controlled by the manipulation of the kinetic and thermodynamic pathways of the spirocyclization. By contrast to the biogenetic proposal involving the diester-type alkaloid as the precursor, we demonstrate that chemically a common lactone-type intermediate could bridge the chemical synthesis of this class of natural products.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Spiro[Azetidine-3,3'-Indoline]-2,2'-Diones via Copper(I)-Catalyzed Kinugasa/C-C Coupling Cascade Reaction.

Spiro[azetidine-indolines] are important scaffolds in diverse bioactive compounds. Current efforts to synthesize spiro[azetidine-indolines] are limited to chiral spiro[azetidine-2,3'-indolines]. Asymmetric synthesis of structurally similar chiral spiro[azetidine-3,3'-indolines] remains unexplored. In this work, the first copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric Kinugasa/aryl C-C coupling cascade reaction is described. This provides a straightforward access to densely functionalized chiral spiro[azetidine-3,3'-indoline]-2,2'-diones in good yields and with high enantioselectivity.

Allenylidene Induced 1,2-Metalate Rearrangement of Indole-Boronates: Diastereoselective Access to Highly Substituted Indolines.

A process to achieve 1,2-metalate rearrangements of indole boronate as a way to access substituted indolines in high diastereoselectivities is presented. The reaction involves the generation of a Cu-allenylidene, which is sufficiently electrophilic to induce the 1,2-metalate rearrangement. The scope of the reaction is evaluated as well as further transformations of the product.

The Xanthate Route to Indolines, Indoles, and their Aza Congeners.

Convergent routes to a variety of indolines, indoles, oxindoles, and their aza analogues involving radical additions of xanthates are described. Three approaches are summarized. The first is the least general and relies on the generation of aryl or heteroaryl radicals starting from diazonium salts. The second involves radical addition to N-allylanilines followed by ring-closure onto the aromatic core. A large variety of indolines and azaindolines can thus be obtained and, in many cases, converted into the corresponding indoles and azaindoles by various methods. The synthesis of novel fluoroazaindolines and fluoroazaindoles by a rare homolytic ipso-substitution of fluorine atoms is particularly noteworthy. The last approach hinges on the direct modification of indoles by radical addition to the pyrrole subunit of the indole nucleus. Application of this methodology to the total synthesis of melatonin and the alkaloids mersicarpine, caulerpine, and the pentacyclic skeleton of tronocarpine is briefly discussed. Most of the compounds described herein would be difficult to obtain by more traditional routes.

Regioselective Formation of Substituted Indoles: Formal Synthesis of Lysergic Acid.

A Diels-Alder reaction-based strategy for the synthesis of indoles and related heterocycles is reported. An intramolecular cycloaddition of alkyne-tethered 3-aminopyrones gives 4-substituted indolines in good yield and with complete regioselectivity. Additional substitution is readily tolerated in the transformation, allowing synthesis of complex and non-canonical substitution patterns. Oxidative conditions give the corresponding indoles. The strategy also allows the synthesis of carbazoles. The method was showcased in a formal synthesis of lysergic acid.

Steering the antitumor drug discovery campaign towards structurally diverse indolines.

Indoline framework is often perpended as a privileged heterocycle present in medicinally valuable compounds of natural and synthetic origin. This review article presents the rational approaches/strategies employed for the design of anticancer indolines along with the structure activity relationship and mechanistic insights revealed in the in-vitro and in-vivo assays. The chemist has always been fascinated towards the indoline ring for the construction of antitumor scaffolds owing to its versatility as evidenced by its existence in scaffolds inducing antiproliferative effects via diverse mechanisms. To the delight of medicinal chemist, the applicability of indoline has also been expanded towards the design of dual inhibitors (multitargeting anticancer agents) as well as PROTACS. Overall, it can be concluded that indoline moiety is a magic bullet and the scaffolds containing this ring are foraying towards detailed preclinical and clinical stage investigations by leaps and bounds.

A quick accelerating microwave-assisted sustainable technique: permutated spiro-casing for imaging experiment.

A quick access tool for the one-pot, chromatography-free synthesis of the diversified dihydrospiro[indeno[1,2-b]pyridine-4,3'-indoline or acenaphthylene-1,4'-indeno[1,2-b]pyridine spiro-analogous via sustainable microwave condition in minimal 1:1 (v/v) aqueous ethanol without any metal catalyst is demonstrated here. This permutated spiro-casing was designed as fluorescence probe at physiological pH for selective detection of Zn2+, even in the presence of other competitive ions and showed a fluorescent enhancement with 1:1 metal/ligand complex. Moreover, this spiro sensor was successfully applied as an effective intracellular Zn2+ imaging agent in the biomedical study of human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cells (HepG2) due to its cell permeability property. A quick access technique for the permutated dihydrospiro-pyridine via chromatography-free sustainable microwave condition and its applications as organic fluorescence probe at physiological pH for selective detection of Zn2+ and effective intracellular Zn2+ imaging in HepG2 cells.

Re-Catalyzed Annulations of Weakly Coordinating N-Carbamoyl Indoles/Indolines with Alkynes via C-H/C-N Bond Cleavage.

Described herein are rhenium-catalyzed [3+2] annulations of N-carbamoyl indoles with alkynes via C-H/C-N bond cleavage, which provide rapid access to fused-ring pyrroloindolone derivatives. For the first time, the weakly coordinating O-directing group was successfully employed in rhenium-catalyzed C-H activation reactions, enabled by the unique catalytic trio of Re2 (CO)10 , Me2 Zn and ZnCl2 . Mechanistic studies revealed that aminozinc species plays an important role in the reaction. Based on the mechanistic understanding, a more powerful catalytic trio of Re2 (CO)10 , [MeZnNPh2 ]2 and Zn(OTf)2 was devised and applied successfully in the [4+2] annulations of indolines and alkynes affording pyrroloquinolinone derivatives.

Synthesis of Indolines and Derivatives by Aza-Heck Cyclization.

For the first time, an aza-Heck cyclization that allows the preparation of indoline scaffolds is described. Using N-hydroxy anilines as electrophiles, which can be easily accessed from the corresponding nitroarenes, this method provides indolines bearing pendant functionality and complex ring topologies. Synthesis of challenging indolines, such as those bearing fully substituted carbon atoms at C2, is also possible using this method.

Catalytic Synthesis of Indolines by Hydrogen Atom Transfer to Cobalt(III)-Carbene Radicals.

We report a new method for the synthesis of indolines from o-aminobenzylidine N-tosylhydrazones proceeding through a cobalt(III)-carbene radical intermediate. This methodology employs the use of inexpensive commercially available reagents and allows for the transformation of easily derivatized benzaldehyde-derived precursors to functionalized indoline products. This transformation takes advantage of the known propensity of radicals to undergo rapid intramolecular 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer (1,5-HAT) to form more stabilized radical intermediates. Computational investigations using density functional theory identify remarkably low barriers for 1,5-HAT and subsequent radical rebound displacement, providing support for the proposed mechanism. We explore the effect of a variety of nitrogen substituents, and highlight the importance of adequate resonance stabilization of radical intermediates to the success of the transformation. Furthermore, we evaluate the steric and electronic effects of substituents on the aniline ring. This transformation is the first reported example of the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles from cobalt(III)-carbene radical precursors.

Synthesis of functionalized dispiro[indoline-3,1[Formula: see text]-cyclopentane-3[Formula: see text],3[Formula: see text]-indolines] via cyclodimerization of 3-phenacylideneoxindolines with benzoylhydrazides and arylhydrazines.

The triethylamine-promoted domino cyclodimerization reaction of 3-phenacylideneoxindolines with benzohydrazides in acetonitrile afforded densely substituted dispiro[indoline-3,1[Formula: see text]-cyclopentane-3[Formula: see text],3[Formula: see text]-indolines] in good yields and with high diastereoselectivity. The similar domino reaction of 3-phenacylideneoxindoles with arylhydrazines also gave corresponding dispiro[indoline-3,1[Formula: see text]-cyclopentane-3[Formula: see text],3[Formula: see text]-indolines] with hydrazinyl or arylazo groups according to the structures of arylhydrazines.

Highly Enantioselective [3+2] Annulation of Indoles with Quinones to Access Structurally Diverse Benzofuroindolines.

A facile and efficient method to produce optically pure benzofuroindolines, especially those without 3-substituents that are susceptible to rearomatization, through [3+2] annulation of indoles with quinones is described. The suitable combination of a BOX ligand CuII hydrate complex and freshly activated molecular sieves functions to give controllably dynamic release of water, which enables the success of this reaction. This reaction can be performed on a gram scale with only 0.5 mol % catalyst loading.