Photoinduced cyclization of 3-acyl-2-halo-1-[(ω-phenylethynyl)alkyl]indoles to azaheterocyclo[1,2,3-lm]-fused benzo[c]carbazoles

J Org Chem. 2011 Jul 15;76(14):5661-9. doi: 10.1021/jo200630x. Epub 2011 Jun 15.

Abstract

A one-pot synthesis of azaheterocyclo[1,2,3-lm]-fused benzo[c]carbazoles (2 and 3) has been developed by photocyclization of 3-acyl-2-halo-1-[(ω-phenylethynyl)alkyl] indoles (1) in good to excellent yields. All products are formed from 1 via two sequential photocyclization reactions. Two products, 9-chloro-7,8-dihydro-6H-benzo[c]pyrido[1,2,3-lm]carbazole (2a-h) and 7,8-dihydro-6H-benzo[c]pyrido[1,2,3-lm]carbazole (3a-h), are produced in the photocyclization of 2-halo-1-[(ω-phenylethynyl)alkyl]indole-3-carbaldehydes (1a-h). In contrast, only products 2a-h are produced in the photocyclization of 3-acetyl-2-chloro-1-[(ω-phenylethynyl)alkyl]indole-3-carbaldehydes (1o-t). The 9-H in 3a-h (n = 2) does originate from the formyl group in 1a-h via 1,5-hydrogen shift. The structures of three new products, 9-bromo-7,8-dihydro-6H-benzo[c]pyrido[1,2,3-lm]carbazole (2b), 9-chloro-10-methyl-7,8-dihydro-6H-benzo[c]pyrido[1,2,3-lm]carbazole (3h) and 12-chloro-7,8-dihydro-6H-benzo[c]pyrido[1,2,3-lm]carbazole (2w), have been corroborated by single-crystal X-ray structural analyses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aza Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Aza Compounds / chemistry
  • Carbazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Carbazoles / chemistry
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Cyclization
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / chemistry
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Aza Compounds
  • Carbazoles
  • Heterocyclic Compounds
  • Indoles