Synthetic applications of cyanoacetylated bisindoles: synthesis of novel cycloheptadiindoles, indolocarbazoles, and related aza analogues.

Cyclization reactions involving cyanoacetylated bisindoles have been studied, providing access to various novel cyclohepta[2,1-b:3,4-b']diindole derivatives as well as some related fused pentacyclic systems. Treatment of 3-cyanoacetyl-2,3'-diindolylmethane with methanesulfonic acid gave 6-(cyanomethyl)indolo[3,2-b]carbazole in a good yield.

Sulfur-rich heterocycles from 2-metalated benzo[b]thiophene and benzo[b]furan: synthesis and structure.

The reaction of 2-lithiated benzo[b]thiophene with 8 equiv of elemental sulfur was found to give pentathiepino[6,7-b]benzo[d]thiophene. In contrast, treatment of 2-lithiated benzo[b]furan with sulfur under similar conditions produced the interesting ring system bis(benzo[4,5]furo)[2,3-e:3',2'-g][1,2,3,4]tetrathiocine. Both of these new cyclic polysulfides were studied by X-ray crystallography. Two polymorphic forms of pentathiepino[6,7-b]benzo[d]thiophene were found, displaying similar conformations but different packing schemes, which was also evident from powder diffraction data.