Electrochemical Synthesis of 2-Aryl-3-(2-aminoaryl)quinoxalines via Oxidative Dearomatization/Ring-Opening/Cyclization Cascade Sequence of 2-Arylindoles with 1,2-Diaminoarenes.

A straightforward method has been developed to synthesize 2-aryl-3-(2-aminoaryl) quinoxalines from 2-arylindoles and 1,2-diaminoarenes under mild electrochemical conditions. The reaction proceeds through in situ generations of 2-arylindole-3-ones under electrochemical oxidative dearomatization of 2-arylindoles, followed by a ring opening-cyclization sequence with 1,2-diaminoarenes. A series of 2-aryl-3-(2-aminoaryl) quinoxalines have been prepared with moderate to good yields (up to 75%).

Electrochemical Oxidative Addition of Nucleophiles on 2-Arylindoles: Synthesis of C2-Heteroquaternary Indolin-3-ones.

An electrochemical method has been developed to synthesize 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones under mild conditions. A series of nucleophiles have been added to the 2-arylindole-3-ones, generated in situ under metal-free electrochemical oxidative dearomatization of 2-arylindoles, to afford 2,2-disubstituted 3-carbonyl indoles with heteroquaternary centers in 57-79% yields.

Enantioselective Direct Synthesis of C3-Hydroxyalkylated Pyrrole via an Amine-Catalyzed Aldol/Paal-Knorr Reaction Sequence.

Creating functionality with chirality at position C3 of pyrrole is challenging. An operationally simple organocatalytic method has been developed to generate functionality with a chiral tertiary/quaternary stereocenter at position C3 of pyrrole. The process proceeds through an amine-catalyzed direct aldol reaction of succinaldehyde with various acceptor carbonyls, followed by a Paal-Knorr reaction with a primary amine in the same pot. A series of chiral C3-hydroxyalkylated N-alkyl/Ar/H-pyrroles have been synthesized for the first time with good to high yields and excellent enantioselectivity.

Electrochemical Oxidative Coupling Between Benzylic C(sp3)-H and N-H of Secondary Amines: Rapid Synthesis of α-Amino α-Aryl Esters.

An intermolecular electrochemical coupling between the benzylic C(sp3)-H bond and various secondary amines is reported. The electronic behavior of two electronically rich units viz the α-position of α-aryl acetates and amines was engineered electrochemically, thus facilitating their reactivity for the direct access of α-amino esters. A series of acyclic/cyclic secondary amines and α-aryl acetates were tested to furnish the corresponding α-amino esters with high yields (up to 92%) under mild conditions.

Direct Amine-Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of Pentacyclic Dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepine/Thiazepine-Fused Isoquinuclidines along with DFT Calculations.

A direct protocol for the asymmetric synthesis of dibenzoxazepine/thiazepine-fused [2.2.2] isoquinuclidines is developed. The reaction proceeds through a proline-catalyzed direct Mannich reaction followed by an intramolecular aza-Michael cascade sequence between 2-cyclohexene-1-one and various tricyclic imines, like dibenzoxazepines/thiazepines, as an overall [4 + 2] aza-Diels-Alder reaction. A series of pentacyclic isoquinuclidines have been prepared, with complete endo-selectivity, in good to high yields and excellent enantioselectivity (>99:1). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further support the observed high stereochemical outcome of the reaction.