This review focuses on the utilization of indium(iii) as π-acid for the activation of C-C unsaturated bonds in organic synthesis. In addition to its well-known σ-coordination with carbonyl derivatives, indium(iii) undergoes efficient π-coordination with unsaturated systems to trigger nucleophilic addition. Accordingly, indium(iii) halides and salts (InX3, X = Cl, Br, I, OTf, ONf, NTf2) have been reported as useful catalysts for a broad range of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formation reactions, including hydrofunctionalization (hydroarylation, hydroamination, hydroalkoxylation, and hydrothiolation), enyne cycloisomerization, and related reactions. In these reactions the counterion has a significant effect on the catalytic activity, and the development of novel In(iii) complexes and the generation of highly electrophilic cationic indium(iii) species has increased its synthetic applications as a π-acid catalyst.
Indium(III) halides catalyze efficiently the intramolecular hydroarylation (IMHA) of aryl propargyl ethers. The reaction proceeds regioselectively with terminal and internal alkynes bearing electron-rich and electron-deficient substituents in the benzenes and alkynes affording only the 6-endo dig cyclization product. Additionally, a sequential indium-catalyzed IMHA and palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling can be performed in one reaction vessel. Experiments with deuterium support a mechanism through electrophilic aromatic substitution.
Indium(III) halides catalyze the hydroalkoxylation reaction of ortho-alkynylphenols to afford benzo[ b]furans in good yields. The reaction proceeds with 5- endo- dig regioselectivity with a variety of phenols functionalized at the arene and alkyne moieties in high yields using InI (5 mol %) in DCE. Experimental and computational studies support a mechanism based on the indium(III) π-Lewis acid activation of the alkyne followed by nucleophilic addition of the phenol and final protodemetalation to afford the corresponding benzo[ b]furan. DFT calculations suggest that dimer InI is the catalytic species through a novel double coordination with the alkyne and the hydroxyl group.
A sequential one-pot indium-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation (IMHA) of bromopropargyl aryl ethers and amines, and palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction using triorganoindium reagents (R 3 In) has been developed. In this transformation, the IMHA of 3-bromo-2-propynyl aryl ethers under indium(III) catalysis, proceeds regioselectively through a 6-endo dig pathway to afford 4-bromo-2H-chromenes. Subsequent palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with R 3 In gives 4-substituted-2H-chromenes in one-pot. This sequential transformation was extended to 3-bromo-2-propynyl-N-tosylanilines to afford 4-substituted-1,2-dihydroquinolines. The dual-catalyzed procedure takes place efficiently with a variety of propargyl aryl ethers and amines and R 3 In (R = aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl or alkynyl), showing the efficiency of these organometallics and proving the compatibility of indium and palladium in catalysis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.