Selective Organocatalytic Synthesis of 3‐Methylindoles and Diindolylmethanes through Reductive Methylation of Indoles with CO<sub>2</sub>

The direct reductive methylation of indoles with CO<sub>2</sub> remains a formidable challenge due to competing reduction pathways and precise selectivity control. Herein, cooperative catalytic systems comprising 2-aminopyridine-BH<sub>3</sub> and DIC-BH<sub>3</sub> are disclosed, which enable unprecedented chemoselective C3-methylation of indoles under mild conditions (1 atm CO<sub>2</sub>). This strategy delivers two distinct product classes through controlled reduction: 3-methylindoles (up to 81% yield) and diindolylmethanes (up to 82% yield) with excellent functional group tolerance. This protocol offers novel synthetic routes for the synthesis of indole-based bioactive molecules.

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Publication Details

Journal
ChemSusChem
Published
2025-04-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202500594
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Catalysis
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.54

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article

Selective Organocatalytic Synthesis of 3‐Methylindoles and Diindolylmethanes through Reductive Methylation of Indoles with CO2

Rongpei Wu, Ke Gao, He Zhang
1 citations
ChemSusChem
Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Catalysis
0.54
article

Selective Organocatalytic Synthesis of 3‐Methylindoles and Diindolylmethanes through Reductive Methylation of Indoles with CO2

Rongpei Wu, Ke Gao, He Zhang
article en
1 citations

Abstract

The direct reductive methylation of indoles with CO<sub>2</sub> remains a formidable challenge due to competing reduction pathways and precise selectivity control. Herein, cooperative catalytic systems comprising 2-aminopyridine-BH<sub>3</sub> and DIC-BH<sub>3</sub> are disclosed, which enable unprecedented chemoselective C3-methylation of indoles under mild conditions (1 atm CO<sub>2</sub>). This strategy delivers two distinct product classes through controlled reduction: 3-methylindoles (up to 81% yield) and diindolylmethanes (up to 82% yield) with excellent functional group tolerance. This protocol offers novel synthetic routes for the synthesis of indole-based bioactive molecules.

ChemSusChemVol. 18(13)
Central China Normal University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Central China Normal University, Project 211, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Openalex Percentile: Top 37%
Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Catalysis
0.54
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