10.3762/BJOC.16.144
The research presents a convergent strategy for synthesizing nitrogen-containing heterocycles, specifically indole, indolone, and cinnoline derivatives, from common 1,4-diketone and primary amine substrates. The authors demonstrate that by varying the substrates, substituents, or heating mode, they can selectively produce these derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. The study involves the preparation of variously substituted 1,4-diketones through Nef and Wittig reactions. The synthesis of indole and indolone derivatives is explored under different conditions, with the reaction mechanism involving imine formation and subsequent 1,2- or 1,4-addition processes. The synthesis of cinnoline derivatives is optimized using hydrazine monohydrate and acetic acid in ethanol under reflux conditions. The developed protocols are mild, metal-free, and functional-group tolerant, making them suitable for medicinal chemistry applications.