Asymmetric friedel-crafts alkylation of indole with chalcones catalyzed by chiral phosphoric acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules14083030

The reaction of indole with chalcones, to give Michael-type adducts, was found to occur with good efficiency (up to 98% yield) and moderate enantioselectivity (up to 52% e.e.) in the presence of a chiral BINOL-based phosphoric acid. Furthermore, the alkyl

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules14083030

Molecules 2009, 14, 3030-3036; doi:10.3390/molecules14083030
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molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts Alkylation of Indole with Chalcones
Catalyzed by Chiral Phosphoric Acids
Arrigo Scettri 1, Rosaria Villano 2 and Maria Rosaria Acocella 1,*
1
Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo 84084, Fisciano, Salerno,
Italy; E-mail: scettri@unisa.it (A.S.)
2
Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare-CNR Trav. La Crucca3, Reg. Baldinca 07040, Li Punti, Sassari,
Italy; E-mail: rosaria.villano@gmail.com (R.V.)
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-mail: acord78@libero.it;
Tel.: +39-089 969 376; Fax: +39-089 969 603
Received: 22 July 2009; in revised form: 6 August 2009 / Accepted: 10 August 2009 /
Published: 13 August 2009
Abstract: The reaction of indole with chalcones, to give Michael-type adducts, was found
to occur with good efficiency (up to 98% yield) and moderate enantioselectivity (up to
52% e.e.) in the presence of a chiral BINOL-based phosphoric acid. Furthermore, the
alkylation products can be obtained in much higher e.e.s after one only crystallization.
Keywords: asymmetric Friedel-Crafts; indole; chiral phosphoric acids
1. Introduction
The indole moiety represents the main structural feature of a variety of unnatural and natural bio-
active products, such as the indole alkaloids [1,2]. In recent years particular attention has been paid to
the enantioselective alkylation of indoles with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds [3,4] since the
corresponding Michael–type adducts could be considered valuable key-intermediates for the
construction of chiral indole architectures.
It has to be noted that different approaches have been proposed for the Michael-type Friedel-Crafts
(F.C.) alkylation of indoles and they involve chiral metal-complexes catalyzed reactions [5-7],
enantioselective organocatalytic reactions via iminium ions [8,9] and chiral Bronsted Acids [10,11].

Molecules 2009, 14
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With regards to chiral Bronsted Acids, good efficiency but rather poor levels of enantioselectivity
were observed in the F.C. alkylation of indoles with chalcones when a camphor-based Bronsted acid
was used [10], while improved enantiomeric excesses (up to 56% e.e.) were obtained through the use
of the H8-BINOL-based phosphoric acid of type 1 [11,12] (R= 4-ClC6H4) (Scheme 1, Figure 1).
Scheme 1. Friedel-Crafts addition of Indole to Chalcones.
R1
R2
O
R2
O
Ar
Ar
+
N
N
R1
H
H
3
4
5
Figure 1. Chiral H8-BINOL-based phosphoric acid (S)-1 and BINOL-phosphoric acid (R)-2.
R
R
O
O
O
O
O
O
P
P
OH
OH
R
R
(S)-1
(R)-2
Notably, the use of a variety of BINOL-derived Bronsted Acid of type (R)-2 (R= Ph2PO, Ph,
4-ClC6H4, 4-MeC6H4, 4-PhC6H4, 2-naphthyl, 3,5-(F3C)2C6H3,2,4,6-tBu3C6H2) gave good yields (up to
75%) but rather lower e.e.s (2-35% e.e.).
Taking into account that the different steric and electronic effects of the above cited substituents
were found exert a deep influence, both on efficiency and enantioselectivity, we decided to investigate
the catalytic properties of the BINOL-derivatives 2a (R= SiPh3), and 2b (R=4-NO2C6H4), bearing
substituents with different electronic and steric properties, in the F.C. alkylation of indole with
chalcones.
2. Results and Discussion
Initially chalcone 4a (R1=R2=H; Ar=Ph) was chosen as a representative substrate and was
submitted to reaction with indole 3 under the conditions reported in Table 1 and Scheme 2. Based on
the results reported in Table 1, dichloromethane proved a superior solvent with respect to toluene
(compare entries 1 and 2), while the organocatalyst 2b gave better results than 2a, both in terms of
yield and enantioselectivity, provided that more dilute solutions of chalcones 4 were used (compare
entries 3, 4 and 5).

Molecules 2009, 14
Scheme 2. Asymmetric organocatalytic F.C. alkylation of indole 3 with chalcone 4a
3032
catalyzed by 2a and 2b.
O
Ph
2a or 2b
3
4
+
N
rt, CH2Cl2
H
5a
Table 1. Asymmetric organocatalytic F.C. alkylation of indole 3 with chalcone 4a.
Entry
1c,d
2e
Cat. 2
Reac.Time/h Yield (%)a
e.e.(%)b
40
2a (0.05)
2a (0.05)
2a (0.1)
2b (0.1)
2b (0.1)
2b (0.05)
2b (0.02)
24
48
25
25
35
60
82
40
25
49
33
31
52
48
46
3d
24
24
4d
5e
48
71
6e
7e
120
a
All the yields refer to isolated chromatographically pure compounds whose structures were
b
confirmed by analytical and spectroscopic data; Enantiomeric excess were determined by chiral
HPLC; c In entry 1 toluene was used as solvent; d 0.5 M solution of chalcones 4 was used; e 0.15 M
solution of chalcones 4 was used.
A lower organocatalyst loading (entries 6 and 7) caused a dramatic drop of the yields and a slight
decrease of the e.e.s. It has to be noted that the e.e. of compound 5a, obtained in entry 5 (52% e.e.)
could be enhanced significantly (72% e.e.) by one only crystallization from Et2O. The general scope of
the procedure was then checked by submitting indole 3 to treatment with a set of chalcones 4 under the
optimized conditions of entry 5, Table 1.
Scheme 3. Asymmetric F.C. addition of indole 3 to variously substituted chalcones 4
catalyzed by 2b.
R2
O
2b(0.1eq.), CH2Cl2
Ar
5
3
+
R1
rt, 48h
4
As reported in Table 2, the alkylation of indole was found to take place in moderate to high yields
(up to 98%) with variously substituted chalcones while a moderate level of enantioselectivity could be
observed for most of the reported starting materials. However, and very interestingly, in several cases
the e.e.s of the Michael-type adducts 5 could be again enhanced noticeably (up to 98%) by
recrystallization. More simple α,β-unsaturated ketones, such as benzylidene acetone, gave much less

Molecules 2009, 14
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satisfactory results since the corresponding alkylation product was isolated in only 15% yield and
30% e.e.
Table 2. Asymmetric F.C. addition of indole 3 to variously substituted chalcones 4.
Entry
Ar
Ph
Ph
Ph
Ph
R1
H
R2
H
Cl
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
Product
5a
Yield(%)a
82(40)d
98
Ee(%)b,c
52(72)
48
52(70)
41
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
H
5b
5c
5d
5e
5f
5g
5h
5i
Me
OMe
NO2
Cl
H
H
58(43)d
36
Ph
Ph
77
46
60(30)d
65(33)d
44
52(98)
54(97)
46
4-ClC6H4
4-MeC6H4
4-NO2C6H4
OMe
73(47)d
42(51)
a
All the yields refer to isolated chromatographically pure compounds whose structures were
b
confirmed by analytical and spectroscopic data; Enantiomeric excess were determined by chiral
c
HPLC; Values in parentheses represent the enantiomeric excess observed after crystallization of
5a and 5c (from Et2O), 5f and 5g (from CH2Cl2/light petroleum ether) and 5i (from Et2O/light
petroleum ether); d Values in parentheses represent the yield after crystallization.
3. Experimental
3.1. General
All chemicals were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich and used without any further purification. TLC
was performed on silica gel 60 F254 0.25 mm on glass plates (Merck) and non-flash chromatography
1
13
was performed on silica gel (0.063-0.200 mm) (Merck). All H- and C-NMR spectra were recorded
with a DRX 400 MHz Bruker instrument (400.135 MHz for 1H and 100.03 MHz for 13C), using CDCl3
(δ=7.26 ppm in 1H-NMR spectra and δ=77.0 ppm in 13C-NMR spectra) as solvent. 1H data are reported
as follows: chemical shift (δ in ppm), multiplicity (s singlet, d doublet, t triplet, dd doublet of doublets,
m multiplet) and coupling costant (J in Hz). Optical rotations were measured on a JASCO DIP-1000
polarimeter operating at the sodium D line at room temperature. Concentration is given in g/100 mL.
IR spectra were recorded on a Bruker spectrometer. The HPLC analyses were performed with Waters
Associates equipment (Waters 2487 Dual λ absorbance Detector) using a CHIRALPAK AD-H column
with hexane/isopropyl alcohol mixtures (composition and flow rate as indicated). HPLC methods were
calibrated with the corresponding racemic mixtures. Mass spectrometry analysis was carried out using
an Waters 4 micro quadrupole electrospray spectrometer. The elemental analyses were calculated with
FLASH EA 1112 Thermo equipment. Melting points were determined with an Electrothermal 9100
apparatus. The known compounds have been identified by comparison of spectral data with those
reported [8,11].The absolute configureurations of the optically active compounds 5a was determined
on the basis of the measured optical rotation compared with literature values [8,11].

Molecules 2009, 14
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3.2. Typical experimental procedure
To a mixture of chalcone (0.125 mmol) and catalyst (0.0125 mmol) 1.2 eq. of indole (0.15 mmol)
were added and stirred in dry dichloromethane (0.75 mL) at room temperature. The reaction was
monitored by TLC analysis. After 48 hours a saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution (0.75 mL) was
added dropwise and the organic layer was extracted in CH2Cl2, dried over MgSO4 and concentrated in
vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel in gradient elution with
petroleum pther/ethyl acetate to give the pure product.
3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-1-phenyl-3-p-tolylpropan-1-one (5c): Yellow solid m/z 340 [M+H+], 362 [M+Na+],
378 [M+K +]; M.p. 91-92 °C; IR (KBr, neat) 3418, 2918, 1687; [α]D = (CHCl3 c= 0.65, 52% e.e.)
= -11.6; HPLC analysis: hexane/i-PrOH 98:2, flow rate 0.7 mL/min. tR (major)= 97.3, tR (minor) =
100.3 min.; 1H-NMR: δ 7.97 (1H, bs), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 7.4 Hz), 7.54 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.47-7.40 (3H,
m), 7.31 (1H, d, J = 8.1 Hz), 7.25 (2H, d, J = 7.3 Hz), 7.15 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.08-6.97 (4H, m), 5.04
(1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz), 3.82 (1H, dd, J =16.6; 6.8 Hz), 3.71 (1H, d, J = 16.6; 7.6 Hz), 2.28 (3H, s);
13C-NMR: δ 199.2, 141.7, 137.7, 137.2, 136.2, 133.5, 129.6, 129.1, 128.6, 128.2, 127.2, 122.6, 121.9,
120, 111.6, 45.8, 38.4, 21.5; Anal. Calcd for C24H21NO C, 84.92; H, 6.24; N,4.13; found C, 84.50; H,
6.10; N 4.10.
3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylpropan-1-one (5d): White solid m/z 355 [M+], 378
[M+Na+], 394 [M+K +]; M.p. 116-118 ° C; IR (KBr, neat) 3424, 2918, 1677, 1180; [α]D = (CHCl3
c = 0.33, 41% e.e.%) = -12.3; HPLC analysis: hexane/i-PrOH 80:20 flow rate, 0.9 mL/min. tR (major)
1
= 24.2, tR (minor)= 26.05 min.; H-NMR: δ 7.98 (1H, bs) 7.93 ( 2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.54 (1H, t,
J = 7.4 Hz), 7.44-7.41 (2H, m), 7.31 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.26 (2H, d, J = 8.6 Hz), 7.14 (1H, t, J = 7.2
Hz), 7.04-6.98 (2H, m), 6.79 (2H, d, J = 8.6 Hz), 5.02 (1 H, t, J = 7.2 Hz), 3.79 (1H, dd, J = 16.6; 6.6
13
Hz), 3.75 (3H, s), 3.69 (1H, dd, J = 16.6; 7.8 Hz); C-NMR: δ 199.2, 157.9, 137.7, 137.2, 136.8,
133.5, 129.3, 129.1,128.6, 122.7, 121.8, 120.1, 119.9, 114.3, 111.6, 55.7, 45.9, 38.0; Anal. Calcd for
C24H21NO2 C, 81.10; H, 5.96; N, 3.94; found C, 81.05; H, 5.89; N, 3.90.
3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-phenylpropan-1-one (5f): White solid m/z 359 [M+], 382
[M+Na+]; M.p. 98-99 °C; IR (KBr, neat) 3445, 2916, 1694, 1219; [α]D = (CHCl3 c= 0.13, 52%) = -4.6;
HPLC analysis: hexane/i-PrOH 80:20, flow rate 0.8 mL/min, tR (major) = 16.9, tR (minor) = 18.9 min.;
1H-NMR: δ 8.01 (1H, bs), 7.93 (2H, d, J = 7.1 Hz), 7.57-6.98 (11H, m), 5.05 (1H, t, J = 7.4 Hz), 3.81
13
(1H, dd, J = 16.8; 6.4 Hz), 3.69 (1H, dd, J = 16.8, 8.0 Hz); C-NMR: δ 198.7, 138.3, 136.5, 133.7,
131.5, 129.7, 129.2, 129.0, 128.6, 124.1, 122.9, 122.6, 121.8, 120.1, 119.9, 111.7, 45.5, 38.1; Anal.
Calcd for C23H18ClNO C, 84.89; H, 5.89; N, 4.30; found C, 84.50; H, 5.70; N, 4.25.
1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-3-phenylpropan-1-one (5g): White solid m/z 360 [M+H+], 382
[M+Na+], 398 [M+K +]; M.p. 101-102 °C; IR (KBr, neat) 3421, 2922, 1685, 1093; [α]D = (CHCl3
c = 0.33, 54%)= -18; HPLC analysis: hexane/i-PrOH 80:20, flow rate 0.8 mL/min. tR (major)= 19.9, tR
(minor)= 22.3 min; 1H-NMR: δ 7.99 (1H, bs), 7.85 (2H, d, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.45-6.96 (10 H, m), 5.05 (1H,
13
t, J = 7.2 Hz), 3.78 (1H, dd, J = 16.6; 6.8 Hz), 3.69 (1H, dd, J = 16.6; 7.7 Hz); C-NMR: δ 198.0,

Molecules 2009, 14
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146.5, 139.9, 137.1, 135.9, 130.0, 129.4, 129.0, 128.3, 126.9, 122.7, 121.9, 120.0, 119.0, 111.7, 45.6,
38.8. Anal. Calcd. for C23H18ClNO C, 84.89; H, 5.89; N, 4.30; found C, 84.60; H, 5.75; N, 4.28.
3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-3-phenyl-1-p-tolylpropan-1-one (5h): White solid m/z 340 [M+H+], 362 [M+Na+];
M.p. 167-169 °C ; IR (KBr, neat) 3419, 2918, 1704, 1181; [α]D = (CHCl3 c = 0.33, 46%) = -19; HPLC
analysis: hexane/i-PrOH 90:10, flow rate 1.0 mL/min. tR (major)= 38.1, tR (minor)= 45.4 min;
1H-NMR: δ 7.97 (1H, bs), 7.84 (2H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.44-6.99 (12H, m), 5.07 (1H, t, J = 7.1 Hz), 3.79
(1H, dd, J = 16.6; 6.9 Hz), 3.69 (1H, dd, J = 16.6; 7.6 Hz), 2.39 (3H, s); 13C-NMR: δ 198.7,
144.3,143.9, 135.2, 133.9, 129.7, 128.9, 128.7, 128.3, 126.7, 122.6, 121.9, 120.1, 119.9, 111.6, 45.6,
38.8, 22.1; Anal. Calcd for C24H21NO C, 84.92; H, 6.24; N, 4.13; found C, 84.80; H, 6.20; N, 4.10.
4. Conclusions
In conclusion, we have developed a Michael-type reaction of indole leading to variously substituted
chalcones by using chiral Bronsted Acid 2b as catalyst. The reaction proceeds with good efficiency
and moderate enantioselectivity. The possibility to obtain the alkylation products in much higher e.e.s
(up to 98%) after only a single recrystallization provides a practical method to synthesize highly
enantiopure 2-indole derivatives.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to MIUR and University of Salerno for financial support.
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Sample Availability: Samples of the compounds are available from the authors.
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