Indole-to-Carbazole Strategy for the Synthesis of Substituted Carbazoles under Metal-Free Conditions

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6b02762
• Publication Date: 2016-10-10T11:15:01Z
• Authors: Shanping Chen; Yuxia Li; Penghui Ni; Huawen Huang; Guo-Jun Deng
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

An efficient indole-to-carbazole strategy has been developed under metal-free conditions. This carbazole formation was highly promoted by NH4I with high regioselectivity through formal [2 + 2 + 2] annulation of indoles, ketones, and nitroolefins. It thus conveniently enabled the assembly of a large number of diversified carbazole products with good tolerance of a broad range of functional groups.