Copper-catalyzed construction of (Z)-benzo[cd]indoles: stereoselective intramolecular trans-addition and S_N–Ar reaction

Substituted benzo[cd]indoles are one of the most attractive frameworks because of their wide range of biological and optical activities. Herein, a copper-catalyzed one-step synthesis of biologically important polysubstituted benzo[cd]indoles starting from 8-alkynyl-1-naphthylamine derivatives is reported. In this protocol, many substituents tolerated the reaction conditions and produced (Z)-benzo[cd]indoles in good yields. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that the reaction proceeds via a stereoselective intramolecular trans-addition and S_N–Ar reaction with high selectivity and high yields. The synthesized polysubstituted (Z)-benzo[cd]indoles possess sulfonamide building blocks, which make them candidates for bioactive molecules.