No abstract

A nanocomposite comprised of MoS 2 -RGO having unique structural features was developed by using a facile preparation strategy and demonstrated to be a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of indole alkaloids in water. The catalyst could be recycled six times without significant loss of its activity. Green chemistry matrix calculations for the reaction showed high atom economy (A.E. = 94.7%) and small E-factor (0.089). Using this nanocomposite as catalyst, four naturally occurring indole alkaloids, Arundine, Vibrindole A, Turbomycin B, and Trisindole, were synthesized along with their other derivatives in excellent yields.

The development of enantioselective synthetic routes to (–)-kinamycin F (9) and (–)-lomaiviticin aglycon (6) is described. The diazotetrahydrobenzo[b]fluorene (diazofluorene) functional group of the targets was prepared by fluoride-mediated coupling of a β-trimethylsilylmethyl-α,β-unsaturated ketone (38) with an oxidized naphthoquinone (19), palladium-catalyzed cyclization (39→37), and diazo transfer (37→53). The D-ring precursors 60 and 68 were prepared from m-cresol and 3-ethylphenol, respectively. Coupling of the β-trimethylsilylmethyl-α,β-unsaturated ketone 60 with the juglone derivative 61, cyclization, and diazo transfer, provided the advanced diazofluorene 63, which was elaborated to (–)-kinamycin F (9) in three steps. The diazofluorene 87 was converted to the C2-symmetric lomaiviticin aglycon precursor 91 by enoxysilane formation and oxidative dimerization with manganese tris(hexafluoroacetylacetonate) (94, 26%). The stereochemical outcome is attributed to the steric bias engendered by the mesityl acetal of 87 and contact ion pairing of the intermediates. The coupling product 91 was deprotected (tert-butylhydrogen peroxide, trifluoroacetic acid–dichloromethane) to form the chain isomer of lomaiviticin aglycon 98, which cyclizes to (–)-lomaiviticin aglycon (6, 39–41% overall). The scope of the fluoride-mediated coupling process is delineated (nine products, average yield = 72%, Table 2); a related enoxysilane quinonylation reaction is also described (10 products, average yield = 77%, Table 1). We establish that dimeric diazofluorenes undergo hydrodediazotization 3-fold faster then related monomeric diazofluorenes (Table 6). The simple diazofluorene 103 is a potent inhibitor of ovarian cancer stem cells (IC50 = 500 nM).

Unique reactivity of diphenylacetylene has been uncovered through weak chelation-assisted cobalt-catalyzed regioselective C(4)–H activation of 3-pivolyl indole. α-Hydroxy ketone and α,β-unsaturated ketone derivatives have been synthesized in good yields from indole and alkynes. Notably, the indole C(4)–H-functionalized α,β-unsaturated ketone product was obtained with high stereo- and regioselectivity simply by changing the coupling partner from symmetrical alkynes to unsymmetrical aromatic-aliphatic alkynes. Most importantly, trifluoroethanol acts as a sole source of water for this conversion. Quantitative detection of bis­(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ether from dry trifluoroethanol through 19F NMR and LCMS studies indirectly confirms the in situ formation of water. A six-membered cobaltacycle intermediate was detected in HRMS, and also, this was further confirmed by the quantum mechanical calculations, which accounts for the highly regioselective C(4)–H functionalization.

Herein, we disclosed the first report on the selective C(4)–H functionalization of 3-acetylindole derivatives using first-row transition metal cobalt where an acetyl group is acting as a weakly coordinating directing group. Selective C(4)–H functionalization has been achieved using diverse Michael acceptors (acrylate and maleimide) simply by switching the additive from copper acetate to silver carbonate. Further the formation of a cobaltacycle intermediate was also detected through HRMS for mechanistic insight.

A conceptually new dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) based oxidation process without the use of any activator has been demonstrated for the oxidation of active methylenes and benzhydrols. The developed protocol utilizes the electrophilic center of DMSO for oxidation, which was unexplored before. Mechanistic investigation has confirmed that the source of oxygen is DMSO.

Co(III)-catalyzed alkenylation of 2-pyridones by using terminal alkyne as a reaction partner with high regioselectivity has been demonstrated for the first time. The reaction conditions are mild and compatible with a wide range of substrate combinations. It also shows good functional group tolerance. It proceeds through cyclometalation followed by alkyne insertion and protodemetalation steps. The formation of fiveand seven-membered cobaltacycle intermediates was also detected through highresolution mass spectrometry.

We describe two four-step sequences for conversion of the inexpensive reagent ethyl sorbate to either O-allyl-N,N-dimethyl-D-pyrrolosamine or O-allyl-L-oleandrose, protected forms of the 2,6-dideoxy sugar residues found in the complex bacterial metabolite lomaiviticin A. We also report a gram-scale synthesis of the highly-oxygenated cyclohexenone ring of this metabolite, and show this may be coupled with the aforementioned donors to form the bis(glycoside) 6. The longest linear sequence to 6 is nine steps.