Synthesis of Polycyclic 3,3?-Biindoles via AgOTf-Catalyzed Nucleophilic Addition and Cycloisomerization

A method for the rapid synthesis of polycyclic 3,3 '- biindole derivatives has been developed through AgOTf-catalyzed nucleophilic addition and cycloisomerization processes. The cascade reaction employs readily accessible indoles and their N2-formylphenyl derivatives and provides functionalized polycyclic 3,3 '-biindoles in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. This reaction is highly efficient and takes only several minutes (similar to 5 min). Notably, the method is also highlighted by a Selectfluormediated oxidation reaction that quickly generates the oxindole derivatives

Automated summary

A method for the rapid synthesis of polycyclic 3,3'-biindole derivatives has been developed using AgOTf-catalyzed nucleophilic addition and cycloisomerization processes. The reaction is efficient and takes only a few minutes, resulting in moderate to good yields of functionalized polycyclic 3,3'-biindoles.