One-pot synthesis of indole-fused nitrogen heterocycles via the direct C(sp2)–H functionalization of naphthoquinones; accessibility for deep red emitting materials

Abstract

A convenient one-pot, two-step methodology was developed for the transformation of readily available planar naphthoquinone derivatives into structurally complex indole-fused nitrogen heterocycles under aerobic conditions. The appropriate structural design in the synthetic protocols offered an opportunity to obtain deep red emitting solid-state fluorescence materials. Mechanistic studies revealed that atmospheric oxygen plays a crucial role in the aforementioned transformation.