Pd-catalyzed cascade reactions between o-iodo-N-alkenylanilines and tosylhydrazones: novel approaches to the synthesis of polysubstituted indoles and 1,4-dihydroquinolines

Abstract

Two different Pd-catalyzed cascade reactions between o-iodo-N-alkenylanilines and tosylhydrazones are described. The outcome of the cascade processes is determined by the substitution on the N-alkenyl fragment. The reactions with N-tosyl-N-ethylene-o-iodoanilines lead to indoles through a sequence that involves the sequential migratory insertions of a carbene ligand and a C–C double bond, featuring a 5-exo-trig cyclization. The reactions with N-alkyl-N-alkenyl-o-iodoanilines provide 1,4-dihydroquinolines through a cascade reaction that includes a formal 6-endo-trig cyclization. In both cases the benzofused heterocycles are built through the formation of two C–C bonds on the hydrazonic carbon atom.