Synthesis of indole-linked β-cyano-enones: a pathway to indolyl-2-pyrrolones

Herein, we report for the first time an additive- and catalyst-free dehydrogenative multicomponent reaction of arylglyoxal, malononitrile, and indoles for the one-pot synthesis of indole-linked β-cyano-enones in DMF medium. The reaction was performed at 100 °C in DMF, forming one C-C single bond and one CC double bond in a single-flask. Furthermore, we developed an efficient method for the synthesis of indolyl-2-pyrrolones having a hydroxyl group-containing chiral carbon center from the β-cyano-enones using trifluoroacetic acid and water as reaction medium. The β-cyano-enones were also further transformed into indolyl-1,2-diketones <i>via</i> a base-mediated reaction, which yielded indolyl quinoxalines upon reaction with <i>o</i>-phenylenediamine (OPD).