An oxidative amidation and heterocyclization approach for the synthesis of β-carbolines and dihydroeudistomin Y

Introduction

β-Carboline alkaloids [1] are widespread in plants, animals and some are formed naturally in the biological system. Rinehart et al. [2] reported the isolation of β-carboline alkaloids such as eudistomins [3] and several of its analogues from the active Caribbean colonial tunicate Eudistoma olivaceum. β-Carboline alkaloids bearing a substituted phenylacetyl group at C-1 position such as eudistomin T (1) [4], eudistomin R (2a) and eudistomin S (2b) [5] were isolated by Cardellina et al. [6], and these compounds exhibit antimicrobial activity. Xestomanzamine A (3) [5] is a β-carboline alkaloid with an 1-methyl-1H-imidazole-5-acyl group at the C-1 position and was isolated from the Okinawan marine sponge Xestopongia sp. The other β-carboline alkaloids reported in the literature are fascaplysin (4) [7], eudistomin A (5a) [3], harmine (5b) [8-10], harmaline (5c) [11], and tetrahydroharmine (5d). Among these, methoxy substituted β-carboline alkaloids such as 5b, 5c, and 5d are indigenously used as hallucinogenic drugs. Some β-carbolines, notably tryptoline (5e) and pinoline (5f), are produced naturally in the human body. Recently Heonjoong et al. isolated new β-carboline-based metabolites, designated as eudistomins Y₁−Y₇ (6a–g) [12-14] (Figure 1), from the tunicate of the genus Eudistoma and posses a benzoyl group at the C-1 position of the β-carboline structural framework. Eudistomins Y₁−Y₇ (6a–6g) were evaluated for their antibacterial activity. Eudistomin Y₆ (6f) exhibits moderate antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermis and Bacillus subtilis.

Results and Discussion

There are several approaches known in literature for the synthesis of β-carbolines. Most of the syntheses of eudistomin T (1) are generally carried out either from indole or its suitably substituted derivatives. The acylation of 2-(3-indolyl)ethyl isocyanide with phenylacetyl chloride followed by cyclization and aromatization is well documented in the literature for the synthesis of 1-benzoyldihydro-β-carbolines. The cyclization of the adduct, formed by the reaction of tryptamine with appropriately substituted 1,2,3-tricarbonyl compounds or with glyoxylic acid derivatives under Pictet–Spengler conditions is also reported in literature for the syntheses of eudistomin T (1) and eudistomin S (2b). Jenkins and co-workers reported the synthesis of fascaplysin (4) by the reaction of tryptamine with phenylacetyl chloride and carried out the aromatization under photo-oxidation conditions [15,16]. Lindsley and co-workers [17] reported the synthesis of eudistomins Y₁−Y₇ (6a–6g) under microwave conditions [18]. Considering the complexity involved in the synthesis of several of the starting materials used in the preparation of carbolines, especially tricarbonyl compounds, an alternate approach for the synthesis of 3H-β-carboline is sought after. Herein we described our successful efforts towards the synthesis of 1-benzoyldihydro-β-carbolines or dihydroeudistomin. The previously developed synthetic methodologies in our laboratory [19-24] were utilized for the synthesis of eudistomin Y (6) and its analogues

The disconnection approach employed in the synthesis of 1-benzoyl-β-carboline is described in Scheme 1. Accordingly eudistomin Y (6) could be obtained by the aromatization of dihydro-β-carboline 12. The dihydro-β-carboline 12 in turn could be synthesized from ketoamide 9 under Lewis acid mediated Bischler–Napieralski reaction. The key intermediate, ketoamide 9 required for the synthesis could easily be accessed from tryptamine (10) and appropriately substituted 2,2-dibromo-1-phenylethanone (11) [25,26] under oxidative amidation conditions.

The oxidative amidation strategy employed in the current synthesis is previously reported from our group by the reaction of a secondary amine with aryl-2,2-dibromo-1-ethanone under aerial oxidation conditions [24]. Later this methodology was successfully employed in the synthesis of isoquinoline alkaloids [27]. The synthesis of eudistomin Y (6) was initiated with the conversion of the respective 2,2-dibromo-1-phenylethanone to the corresponding Schiff base 14 by reaction with tryptamine in presence of NaI. The Schiff base on in situ oxidation with cumene hydroperoxide afforded an unstable oxaziridine derivative 15. Ring opening of the oxaziridine derivative 15 in presence of base afforded ketoiminol 16, which on iminol–amide tautomerism provided the required α-ketoamide 9 (Scheme 2). It was possible to limit the formation of benzamide impurity 17 in the reaction to <15% (Table 1); however, we were unable to avoid the formation of 17 under any of the attempted reaction conditions (Scheme 3).

The α-ketoamide 9 thus obtained by the oxidative amidation methodology was subjected to a Bischler–Napieralski cyclodehydration reaction in presence of POCl₃ [27], however under these conditions 2,9-dihydro-β-carboline derivative 7 was obtained as the major product (less than 10% yield) instead of 4-9-dihydro-β-carboline derivative 12 (Scheme 4). Our attempts to improve the yield of 7 under Bischler–Napieralski cyclodehydration reaction conditions using POCl₃ as the Lewis acid were proved to be futile. This prompted us to test the efficiency of other Lewis acids in this cyclodehydration reaction. The Bischler–Napieralski cyclodehydration reaction was then carried out with different Lewis acids such as BF₃·Et₂O, SnCl₄, TiCl₄ etc., in mutiple solvents under various reaction conditions. The best conversion was obtained when the reaction was conducted in BF₃·Et₂O in ether at 25–30 °C and the product dihydro-β-carboline 7 was isolated in 55% of yield.

The formation of isomeric 2,9-dihydro-β-carboline derivative 7 as the major product in Bischler–Naperalski reaction conditions is explained in Scheme 5. The initially formed spirocyclic compound 18 undergoes intramolecular rearrangement and afforded the dihydrocarboline framework 19, which on aromatization yielded 20. Based on the reaction conditions 8 can be obtained from 20 after aqueous work-up or at higher temperature heating, 20 undergoes a sequential prototropic migration leading to the formation of 2,9-dihydro-β-carboline derivative 7. To the best of our knowledge, this is a novel method for the synthesis of 1-benzoyldihydrocarboline from α-ketoamide 9 [28].

The structure of 2,9-dihydro-β-carboline 7 and 1-hydroxytetrahydro-β-carboline 8 was confirmed by various NMR techniques such as 2D NMR, COSY as well as HSQC (Figure 2). The coupling of the H² proton with both H¹ and H³ protons is clearly evident in the COSY for 7a, whereas the OH proton in 8a shows a high nOe (Scheme 6).

Dihydro-β-carboline 7 was then subjected to an aromatization reaction to obtain eudistomin Y (6). The aromatization reaction was attempted with oxidizing agents such as DDQ and MnO₂ as per the reported conditions in literature. The formation of product 6 was confirmed by LCMS analysis of the crude reaction mixture. However under these conditions product 6 was observed in less than 5% and our attempt to isolate the eudistomin Y (6) in pure form was not successful. The oxidation of compound 7 with oxygen, KMnO₄, MnO₂ and TBHP as well as dehydrogenation with DBU in different solvents at various temperatures also failed and did not yield the required product. Attempted oxidation of compound 7 under microwave irradiation conditions was also not successful. Probably under all aforementioned conditions, formation of the stable enol 21 might have retarded the aromatization during the course of dehydrogenation reaction of dihydro-β-carboline 7.

Utilizing the oxidative amidation Bischler–Napieralski reaction conditions we have synthesized a number of dihydro-β-carbolines (Table 2) in moderate to good yields. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by spectral and analytical methods.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have developed an oxidative amidation Bischler–Napieralski reaction methodology for the synthesis of dihydroeudistomin Y (7a–7i). A number of 1-benzoyl dihydro-β-carboline derivates have been synthesized as a part of these studies. The oxidative amidation Bischler–Napieralski reaction provides a simple and direct method for the synthesis of carbolines, which are otherwise synthesized by multistage reactions utilizing starting materials which are not readily available.

Experimental

General procedure for the synthesis of α-ketoamides (9a–9j)

A mixture of 2,2-dibromo-1-phenylethanone (11a, 6.0 g, 21.6 mmol) and sodium iodide (6.48 g, 43.2 mmol) in dimethyl sulfoxide (30.0 mL) at 25–45 °C was stirred for 40–50 minutes. Triethylamine (6.55 g, 64.8 mmol) and tryptamine (10, 3.45 g, 21.6 mmol) were then added to the mixture under a N₂ atmosphere and it was stirred for 1–2 h at 25–45 °C. Then cumene hydroperoxide (88% n-hexane solution, 3.73 g, 21.6 mmol) was added to the mixture over a period of five minutes (exothermic reaction), and it was further stirred for another 3–6 h at the same temperature. After completion of the reaction (TLC), ice water was added to the mixture and extracted with DCM (2 × 50 mL). The DCM layer was washed with aq sodium bisulfite solution (50 mL) followed by brine (50 mL) and H₂O (2 × 60 mL). The organic layer was dried (anhyd. Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The obtained crude product was subjected to CC purification and afforded the desired product in moderate to good yields.

N-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)ethyl)-2-oxo-2-phenylacetamide (9a): 60% yield; mp 135–136.7 °C; IR (cm^–1): 3408, 3386, 2927, 2862, 1663, 1531, 1288, 1248, 1218, 1093, 1080, 1071, 838, 742; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ_H 8.32 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 8.05 (s, 1H, NH), 7.63 (dd, J = 8.4, 6.8 Hz, 2H), 7.47 (t, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 7.38 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (dd, J = 6.0, 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (dd, J = 1.2, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 7.12 (dd, J = 2.0, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (s, 1H), 3.75 (q, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 3.09 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_c 190.4, 164.8, 136.1, 134.3, 132.8, 129.6 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 127.1, 122.8, 120.8, 118.2 (2C), 111.2 (2C), 40.7, 24.7; MS m/z (%): 293 (M + 1), 315 (M + 23).

N-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)ethyl)-2-oxo-2-(p-tolyl)acetamide (9b): 57% yield; mp 116.8–118.1 °C; IR (cm^–1): 3340, 3255, 3093, 2841, 1661, 1644, 1514, 1457, 1310, 1263, 1224, 1169, 1024, 849, 798, 742; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ_H 8.24 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 8.06 (s, 1H, NH), 7.64 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.39 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.13 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.07 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 3.73 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 3.07 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 2.42 (s, 3H): ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_c 190.1, 165.2, 145.2, 136.2, 132.3, 129.8, 129.4, 127.1, 125.7, 122.8, 120.9 118.3 (2C), 114.2, 111.3 (2C), 55.7, 24.8, 21.4; MS m/z (%): 307.5 (M + 1), 329.5 (M + 23).

N-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)ethyl)-2-oxo-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)acetamide (9c): 52% yield; mp 139.8–140.1 °C; IR (cm⁻¹): 3338, 2938, 2842, 1640, 1334, 1224, 1157, 1135, 1075, 935, 842, 794, 747; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ_H 8.42 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 8.06 (s, 1H, NH), 7.73 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 7.64 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.14 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.75 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 3.09 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_c 189.0, 163.7, 136.1 (2C), 130.4 (2C), 127.1, 125.6 (2C), 122.8, 120.8 118.2 (2C), 111.2 (2C), 39.2, 24.7; MS m/z (%): 383 (M + 1), 405 (M + 23).

N-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)ethyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (9d): 45% yield; mp 138.5–141.2 °C; IR (cm⁻¹): 3338, 3335, 2923, 2858, 1682, 1651, 1595, 1522, 1352, 1273, 1228, 1152, 850, 798, 742; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ_H 8.41 (dd, J = 5.2, 2 Hz, 2H), 8.09 (s, 1H, NH), 7.63 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.14 (t, J = 2 Hz, 1H), 7.13 to 7.11 (m, 1H), 7.10 (t, J = 2 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H), 3.73 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 3.07 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ_c 188.6, 164.3, 163.0, 136.1, 132.9, 132.7, 129.6, 127.1, 122.8, 120.9, 116.1, 115.7, 118.2 (2C), 111.2 (2C), 39.2, 24.7; MS m/z (%): 311.5 (M + 1), 333.4 (M + 23).

N-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)ethyl)-2-(3-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoacetamide (9e): 38% yield; mp 138.1–139.5 °C; IR (cm⁻¹): 3364, 3331, 3121, 2860, 1662, 1523, 1346, 1263, 1212, 1098, 815, 752, 725; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ_H 9.13 (s, 1H), 8.68 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 8.46 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 8.09 (s, 1H, NH), 7.67 (dd, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.25 to 7.10 (m, 3H, ArH), 3.77 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 2H), 3.10 (t, J = 7 Hz, 2H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_c 187.3, 162.8, 147.7, 136.1, 135.8, 134.1, 130.4, 128.2, 127.2, 124.2, 122.7, 120.8, 118.2, 111.2, 39.2, 24.7; MS m/z (%): 338.5 (M⁺), 360.5 (M⁺, 23).

General procedure for the synthesis of dihydroeudistomin (7a–7j)

To a stirred solution of N-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)-2-oxo-2-phenylacetamide (9a, 2.0 g, 6.8 mmol) in diethyl ether (20 mL) was added 48% boron trifluoride etherate (10.1 g, 34.2 mmol) in a round-bottom flask under a N₂ atmosphere, and the mixture was stirred at 25–30 °C for 2 h. After TLC indication for absence of starting material toluene (20 mL) was added. Then mixture was heated to 55–70 °C and it was maintained under stirring at that temperature for 4–8 h (TLC). The mixture was cooled to 25–30 °C and it was poured into a pre-cooled sat. NaHCO₃ solution (160 mL) at 10 °C. The product was then extracted with ethyl acetate (2 × 25 mL) and the organic layer was washed with 10% NaHCO₃ solution (25 mL) and dried (anhyd. Na₂SO₄). The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure and the crude residue was subjected to column chromatography purification. The product was obtained in good to moderate yields.

(2,9-Dihydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)(phenyl)methanone (7a): 40% yield; mp 228.5–230.6 °C; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_H 11.37 (br s, 1H, NH), 9.68 (d, J = 5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.22 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.16 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (t, J =7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 6.34 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 5.77 (dd, J = 3.2 & 5.6 Hz, 1H), 5.29 (s, 1H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_c 167.1, 136.4, 136.1, 130.8, 128.5 (2C), 127.2, 126.6 (2C), 125.9, 122.0, 119.6, 118.7, 118.2, 111.6, 109.9, 105.7, 53.2; MS m/z (%): 275.1 (M + 1), 297.2 (M + 23); HRMS (EI) m/z: [M]⁺ calcd for C₁₈H₁₅N₂O, 275.1184; found, 275.1173.

(1-Hydroxy-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)(phenyl)methanone (8a): 15% yield; mp 138.5–141.2 °C; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_H 10.93 (s, 1H), 8.52 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 1H, NH), 7.44 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 7.33 to 7.26 (m, 3H, ArH), 7.11 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 7.00 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 6.13 (s, 1H, D₂O exchangable proton), 3.10–3.02 (m, 2H), 2.88–2.49 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO–d₆) δ_c 173.9, 143.9, 135.0, 131.0, 128.3 (2C), 127.8, 127.8, 126.0 (2C), 121.3, 118.5, 117.9, 111.5, 108.4, 75.6 (alkoxy carbon), 38.3, 25.2. HRMS (EI) m/z: [M]⁺ calcd for C₁₈H₁₇N₂O₂, 293.1290; found, 293.1333; HRMS of dehydrated 8a (EI) m/z: [M]⁺ calcd for C₁₈H₁₅N₂O, 275.1184; found, 275.1220.

(2,9-Dihydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)(p-tolyl)methanone (7b): 48% yield; mp 213.2–215.7 °C; IR (cm⁻¹): 3222, 3179, 3043, 2940, 1656, 1625, 1558, 1479, 1335, 1246, 1065, 802, 768, 739; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_H 11.36 (br s, 1H, NH), 9.64 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 6.89 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 6.32 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 5.76 (dd, J = 3.6 & 5.6 Hz, 1H), 5.23 (s, 1H), 2.20 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃ + DMSO-d₆) δ_c 166.3, 135.1, 134.9, 131.5, 129.7, 127.5 (2H), 125.4 (2C), 124.6, 120.3, 118.1, 117.1, 116.5, 110.1, 108.5, 104.5, 51.6, 19.5; MS m/z (%): 289.5 (M + 1), 311.5 (M + 23); HRMS (EI) m/z: [M]⁺ calcd for C₁₉H₁₇N₂O, 289.1341; found, 289.1329.

(2,9-Dihydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methanone (7c): 38% yield. mp 162–164 °C; IR (cm⁻¹): 3222, 3185, 3042, 2937, 2835, 1657, 1624, 1509, 1456, 1249, 1177, 1055, 1032, 848, 810, 770, 742; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ_H 8.10 (s, 1H), 7.69 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.38 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.29–7.21 (m, 4H), 6.48 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 5.94 (dd, J = 3.6 & 5.6 Hz, 1H), 5.19 (s, 1H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_c 166.0, 140.5, 136.3, 129.9, 127.9, 127.6, 127.4 (2C), 125.6 (doublet), 125.3 (2C), 121.9, 119.5, 118.7, 118.1, 111.6, 109.9, 105.7, 52.7; MS m/z (%): 343 (M + 1); HRMS (EI) m/z: [M]⁺ calcd for C₁₉H₁₄N₂OF₃, 343.1058; found, 343.1038.

(2,9-dihydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)(4-fluorophenyl)methanone (7d): 25% yield; mp 230.6–232.2 °C; IR (cm⁻¹): 3351, 3279, 3083, 2895, 2839, 1659, 1605, 1508, 1459, 1304, 1234, 1161, 1072, 956, 837, 747; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ_H 8.12 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.27–7.19 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.00 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 6.51 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 5.94 (dd, J = 3.6 & 4.8 Hz, 1H), 5.08 (s, 1H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_c 166.7, 162.4, 136.3, 132.1, 132.1, 130.6 (doublet), 128.6 (2C), 128.6, 125.7, 121.9, 119.5, 118.7, 118.1, 115.3, 115.1, 111.6, 109.8, 105.6, 52.3; MS m/z (%): 293 (M + 1); HRMS (EI) m/z: [M]⁺ calcd for C₁₈H₁₄N₂OF, 293.1090; found, 293.1073.

(4-Fluorophenyl)(1-hydroxy-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)methanone (8d): 12% yield; mp 185–187 °C; IR (cm⁻¹): 3268, 3178, 3041, 2934, 1658, 1626, 1506, 1471, 1335, 1239, 1225, 1156, 1014, 976, 840, 816, 738; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃ + DMSO-d₆) δ_H 9.65 (s, 1H), 7.89 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (t, J = 9.4 Hz, 3H), 7.22–7.08 (m, H, ArH), 6.96 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 5.92 (s, 1H), 3.24–3.19 (m, 2H), 2.94 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_c 173.6, 140.3, 135.0, 130.8, 128.2, 128.1, 127.7, 121.4, 118.5, 118.0, 115.3, 114.9, 111.5, 108.5, 75.0, 25.1; MS m/z (%): 293 (M + 1), 315 (M + 23); HRMS (EI) m/z: [M]⁺ calcd for C₁₈H₁₄N₂OF, 293.1090; found, 293.1070.