Diels-Alder cycloaddition indole-2,3-quinodimethanes

The pyrrolo[3,4-Z ]indoles offer an alternative approach to access indolo-2,3-quinodimethane analogs and have also been used in Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions with acetylenes to produce a variety of substituted carbazoles. The most widely used methods developed for the synthesis of pyrrolo[3,4-b]indoles have already been reviewed [126, 127] and thus wiU not be discussed here. 

The first example of an indole-2,3-quinodimethane (IQM) undergoing a Diels-Alder cycloaddition to furnish a carbazole was reported by Plieninger and coworkers in 1964 [9], Thus, indole-3-acetic acid was readily converted to pyrano[3,4-fe]indol-3-ones upon treatment with carboxylic acid anhydrides (Scheme 1, equation 1). These stable synthetic equivalents of IQMs undergo Diels-Alder reactions with electron-deficient dienophiles (A-phenytma-leimide,maleicanhydride,dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate) (equation 2). Plieninger s discovery notwithstanding, it was Moody and coworkers who parlayed this chemistry into a powerful carbazole synthesis (equations 3,4) [10-18],... 

Heterocyclic o-quinodimethanes are unstable and reactive dienes that must be generated in situ. In solution and in the pre.sence of a dienophile the -quinodimethanes can be intercepted in a Diels-Alder reaction, often in high yield. Most of the dienophiles investigated so far have been electron deficient A-phenylmaleiinide. acrylonitrile, methyl vinyl ketone, acrylate, ftimarate and acetylenedicarboxylic esters are typically used. However, since the objective of most of the work was simply to establish that the o-quinodimethane was being formed, the scope of the reaction has not been adequately explored. The pyridine derived o-quinodimethane 12 has recently been shown to undergo cycloaddition to ethyl vinyl ether (Scheme 2) and to dihydroftiran <96T11889>, and it is thus clear that the scope of the Diels-Alder reaction extends beyond electron deficient alkenes and alkynes. Heterodienophiles (azodicarbonyl compounds and nitrosobenzene) have been added to indole-2,3-quinodimethanes <91T192,S> and this type of hetero Diels-Alder reaction is also potentially of wider application. 

Orf/io-quinodimethanes have been used in numerous S3mthetic applications for the construction of various polycyclic ring systems found in structurally complex target molecules, via [4+2] Diels-Alder type cycloadditions. In this context, indolo-2,3-quinodimethanes have become increasingly useful as synthetic precursors to a variety of interesting [6]annelated indoles, carbazoles, and alkaloids [111]. 

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