Direct oxidation of bromo-derived Fischer-Borsche oxo-ring using molecular iodine with combined experimental and computational study.

A direct oxidation of the bromo-derived Fischer-Borsche oxo-ring leading to carbazolequinone has been developed by using molecular iodine. This unprecedented transformation has been used for the modular synthesis of the anti-cardiotonic agent murrayaquinone. Furthermore, the present method has been generalized to a broad range of functional groups, with good to excellent yield.

A one-pot direct iodination of the Fischer-Borsche ring using molecular iodine and its utility in the synthesis of 6-oxygenated carbazole alkaloids.

An efficient regioselective iodination of the Fischer-Borsche ring has been achieved using molecular iodine, in a one-pot synthesis. The acid-, metal-, and oxidant-free conditions of the present method are highly convenient and practical. Furthermore, the one-pot direct iodination process is extended to the concise synthesis of glycozoline, 3-formyl-6-methoxy-carbazole, and 6-methoxy-carbazole-3-methylcarboxylate natural alkaloids. This method has been proven to be tolerant to a broad range of functional groups, with good to excellent yields.