Copper-Catalyzed anti-Markovnikov Hydroindolation of Terminal Alkynes: Regioselective Synthesis of Bis(indolyl)alkanes.

An efficient copper-catalyzed intermolecular hydroindolation reaction of terminal aryl alkynes to expeditiously synthesize bis(indolyl)alkanes in moderate to high yields is described. The double nucleophilic addition of two molecules of indole to one molecule of alkyne occurs in a tandem manner through an anti-Markovnikov pathway. Various arenes and alkynes allow for this transformation. Preliminary mechanistic study sheds light on the observed regioselectivity involving a Cu-vinylidene complex, and 3-styryl-1H-indole as probable intermediates.

I2 mediated synthesis of 5-substituted-3-methyl/benzyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-ones via sequential condensation/oxidative cyclization and rearrangement.

A simple and efficient iodine-assisted protocol for the synthesis of 5-substituted-3-methyl/benzyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-ones has been developed. The reaction involves a sequential condensation followed by tandem oxidative cyclization and rearrangement of readily available methyl/benzyl carbazates and aldehydes as starting substrates. The presence of iodine and base promotes intramolecular C-O bond formation, followed by Chapman-like rearrangement at 90 °C of the methyl/benzyl group in the hydrazone intermediate formed during the condensation step. This transition-metal-free approach has been adopted to generate a variety of oxadiazolones under mild conditions in good to excellent yields.