Study on the synthesis of the cyclopenta[f]indole core of raputindole A.

The raputindoles from the rutaceous tree Raputia simulans share a cyclopenta[f]indole partial structure the synthesis of which is subject of this investigation. An efficient route to a series of 1,5-di(indol-6-yl)pentenones was developed via Mo/Au-catalyzed Meyer-Schuster rearrangement of tertiary propargylic alcohol precursors. However, none of the enones underwent the desired Nazarov cyclization to a cyclopenta[f]indole. More suitable were 6-hydroxyallylated indolines which gave good yields of cyclopenta[f]indolines after treatment with SnCl4, as soon as sterically demanding ß-cyclocitral adducts were reacted. Most successful were Pt(II) and Au(I)-catalyzed cyclizations of N-TIPS-protected indolin-6-yl-substituted propargylacetates which provided the hydrogenated tricyclic cyclopenta[f]indole core system in high yield.

SmI2-mediated dimerization of indolylbutenones and synthesis of the myxobacterial natural product indiacen B.

The synthesis and reactivity of indole derivatives substituted in the benzene section was studied. Starting materials 4- and 6-iodoindole were conveniently prepared via the Batcho-Leimgruber route and purified by sublimation. Novel vicinally indolyl-substituted cyclopentanols with unexpected cis-configuration were formed by SmI2-mediated reductive dimerization of a 4-(indol-6-yl)butenone, obtained by Heck reaction. The two indolyl units appear to chelate Sm(II)/(III) leading to a gauche-type arrangement at the newly formed bond between the two ß-carbons. Through a sequence of Sonogashira cross coupling and Meyer-Schuster rearrangement 6-prenoylindole was synthesized and reductively dimerized to a cyclopentane in a [3 + 2] cycloaddition by treatment with SmI2 in THF. From 4-iodoindole, the natural product indiacen B from the myxobacterium Sandaracinus amylolyticus was synthesized for the first time, confirming its antimicrobial activity. The E-configuration of the chloroalkene moiety of indiacen B was confirmed by X-ray analysis.

Indole prenylation in alkaloid synthesis.

Important biologically active indole alkaloids are decorated with prenyl (3,3-dimethylallyl) and tert-prenyl (1,1-dimethylallyl) groups. Covering the literature until the end of 2010, this review article comprehensively summarises and discusses the currently available technologies of prenylation and tert-prenylation of indoles, which have been applied in natural products total syntheses or could be applied there in the near future. We focus on those procedures which introduce the C(5) units in one step, organised according to the indole position to be functionalised. Key strategies include electrophilic and nucleophilic prenylation and tert-prenylation, prenyl and tert-prenyl rearrangements, transition metal-mediated reactions and enzymatic methods.