Microwave-assisted palladium-catalyzed threefold domino cyclization of 2-(2-(phenylethynyl)phenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazoles/indoles to access polycyclic motifs

Abstract

Herein, we have established a palladium-catalyzed domino protocol for the synthesis of polycyclic frameworks under microwave irradiation. The transformation proceeds via a three-fold cascade, enabling the efficient construction of two C–C bonds and one C–N bond in one pot with various functional groups. The method's applicability was demonstrated through drug diversification derived from cholesterol, ibuprofen, and gemfibrozil, as well as scale-up reactions. Furthermore, the photophysical properties of these motifs were investigated.