Axel M. Schmidt

2,3-Disubstituted indoles from olefins and hydrazines via tandem hydroformylation–Fischer indole synthesis and skeletal rearrangement

The tandem hydroformylation-Fischer indolisation protocol is used in the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted indoles. After hydroformylation of selected olefins to form alpha-branched aldehydes in a one-pot procedure these are condensed with phenylhydrazine to give hydrazones. Upon acid-promoted [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement indolenine intermediates with quaternary centres in the 3-position are formed, which, after selective Wagner-Meerwein-type rearrangement of one of the substituents from the 3- to the 2-position, lead to 2,3-disubstituted indoles. Several olefins, bearing substituents with various functional groups, as well as cyclic olefinic systems are investigated.

Synthetic Applications of Tandem Reaction Sequences Involving Hydroformylation

Aldehydes obtained from olefins under hydroformylation conditions can be converted to more complex reaction products in one-pot reaction sequences. These involve heterofunctionalization of aldehydes to form acetals, aminals, imines and enamines, including reduction products of the latter in an overall hydroaminomethylation. Furthermore, numerous conversions of oxo aldehydes with additional C,C-bond formation are conceivable such as aldol reactions, allylations, carbonyl olefinations, ene reactions and electrophilic aromatic substitutions, including Fischer indole syntheses.

Tandem hydroformylation–hydrazone formation–Fischer indole synthesis: a novel approach to tryptamides

A novel one-pot synthesis of indole systems via tandem hydroformylation-hydrazone formation-Fischer indolization starting from allylic amides and aryl hydrazines is described. This tandem procedure directly leads to biologically interesting tryptamides and analogues.