Synthesis of cyclohepta[b]indoles via gold mediated energy transfer photocatalysis

by Yuan Zhao, Vladislav A. Voloshkin, Ekaterina A. Martynova, Bholanath Maity, Luigi Cavallo, Steven P. Nolan
Year: 2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d4cc00379a

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Chemical Communication.

Abstract

Photocatalysis involving energy transfer (EnT) has become a valuable technique for building intricate organic frameworks mostly through [2+2]-cycloaddition reactions. Herein, we report a synthetic method leading to functionalized cyclohepta[b]indoles, an important structural motif in natural products and pharmaceuticals, using gold-mediated energy transfer photocatalysis. The scope of this operationally simple and atom-economical strategy is presented. Density functional theory studies were employed in order to gain insights into the mechanism of formation of the cyclohepta[b]indole core.