Synthesis of Spiro[indole-3,3'-pyrrolidine]-2'-(thi)ones.

Spiro[indole-3,3'-pyrrolidine]-2'-ones were synthesized via one-pot chloroformylation-dearomatizing spirocyclization of tryptamine derivatives. Moreover, the "thio" equivalent spiro[indole-3,3'-pyrrolidine]-2'-thiones, for which the synthesis and properties were previously unreported, were synthesized. The procedures are easily implemented, have a broad scope, and are transition-metal-free and cheap. To demonstrate the utility of the synthetic methodology, the spiro[indole-3,3'-pyrrolidine]-2'-ones were converted into heterocyclic scaffolds, such as an optically active spiroindoline and spirooxindole.

A metal-, oxidant-, and fluorous solvent-free synthesis of α-indolylketones enabled by an umpolung strategy.

Enamines undergo α-indolization with ammonium salts in the presence of Et3N to form α-indolylketones. This is the first example of transition metal-, oxidant-, and fluorous solvent-free α-indolization of ketones. Key to the success of this convenient protocol was the use of in situ generated electrophilic indole species, as well as the use of enamines as a ketone enolate equivalent.

Rapid access to indole-fused bicyclo[2.2.2]octanones by merging the umpolung strategy and molecular iodine as a green catalyst.

One-pot synthesis of indole-fused bicyclo[2.2.2]octanones from DiMeOIN and 2-cyclohexen-1-one is accomplished under an iodine catalyst. The simple and metal-free conditions provide a practical tool to construct Csp3-rich complex molecules via coupling cyclization.

2,3-Dimethoxyindolines: a latent electrophile for SNAr reactions triggered by indium catalysts.

2,3-Dimethoxyindolines (DiMeOINs) have emerged as a latent electrophile in indium-catalyzed SNAr reactions. They are easily obtained from commercially available indoles and allowed access to 3-substituted indoles. The reaction proceeds via SNAr reactions of in situ generated 3-methoxyindoles. Formation of C2-substituted indoles was also possible utilizing the C2-nucleophilicity of DIMeOIN. Our protocol is user friendly as DiMeOIN is a bench-stable easy-to-handle crystalline reagent.