Base promoted synthesis of novel indole-dithiocarbamate compounds as potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents for treatment of acute lung injury.

An efficient protocol for highly chemoselective introduction of dithiocarbamate groups to nitrogen position of indoles with bis(dialkylaminethiocarbonyl)disulfides was achieved by employing t-BuOK as a promoter. Based on this methodology, twenty nine novel indole-dithiocarbamate compounds were prepared in moderate to excellent yields at room temperature. All compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity. Most of the compounds exhibited high potency on inhibiting the releasing of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Four of them were found to suppress in vitro cytokine production in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values in the nanomolar range. Additionally, 3-methyl-1H-indol-1-yl dimethylcarbamodithioate (3o) effectively ameliorated histopathological changes of lung tissues and attenuated lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in vivo. These data suggest that the new indole-dithiocarbamate derivatives could be particularly useful for further pharmaceutical development for the treatment of ALI.

An efficient t-BuOK promoted C3-chalcogenylation of indoles with dichalcogenides.

A versatile and efficient method for the synthesis of 3-chalcogenyl-indoles from indoles and dichalcogenides employing t-BuOK as a promoter at room temperature has been achieved. The present protocol exhibited a broad functional group tolerance. Diverse 3-sulfenyl- and 3-selenyl-indoles were rapidly obtained in good to excellent yields with high regioselectivities. It is noteworthy that this transformation was applicable to N-protected and N-unprotected indoles, allowing N-deprotection and C3-chalcogenylation of indoles in one step.