Unexpected cyclization of 2-(2-aminophenyl)indoles with nitroalkenes to furnish indolo[3,2-c]quinolines?

Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Pub Date: 2018-05-22 DOI: 10.1039/C8OB00588E

Abstract

The polyphosphoric acid-mediated reaction of 2-(2-aminophenyl)indenes with nitroalkenes was tested in the frame of synthetic studies towards CDK inhibitors with the paullone core. Unexpectedly, this reaction proceeded via a different mechanistic pathway affording derivatives of the natural alkaloid isocryptolepine. The scope of this unusual transformation was investigated and a mechanistic rationale explaining this outcome is offered.

Graphical abstract: Unexpected cyclization of 2-(2-aminophenyl)indoles with nitroalkenes to furnish indolo[3,2-c]quinolines
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