10.1016/S0040-4039(01)90354-5
The study presents an efficient methodology for the synthesis of indole derivatives in a single operation using organodilithium reagents and vicinal dication equivalents. Key chemicals involved include 2-bromoaniline derivatives, which are used to prepare organodimetallic reagents through bromine-lithium exchange, a process that facilitates efficient, site-specific lithiation. For instance, 2'-bromo-2,2-dimethylpropionanilide reacts with methyllithium and t-butyllithium to form the organodilithium derivative. This derivative is then reacted with biselectrophiles such as 2-chlorocyclohexanone to produce indole precursors. The study also explores the effects of variations in nitrogen protecting groups and reaction temperatures. The methodology allows for the formation of either N-protected or unprotected indoles, with dehydration induced by trifluoroacetic acid yielding N-protected products like 3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole. The study further demonstrates the versatility of the method by using different biselectrophiles, such as the enolate of cyclohexenone epoxide and enediones, to produce various indole derivatives. The results highlight the regiocontrol and synthetic efficiency of this approach, with high yields and the ability to directly convert commercially available 2-bromoaniline to tetrahydrocarbazole in one operation.