Palladium(ii) complexes bearing mesoionic carbene ligands: catalytic application in domino Sonogashira coupling/cyclization reactions for one-pot synthesis of benzofuran and indole derivatives

Abstract

Bioactive heterocycles such as benzofuran and indole derivatives were synthesized from commercially available 2-iodoarenes and alkynes via domino Sonogashira coupling followed by cyclization reaction using well-defined palladium PEPPSI (Pyridine Enhanced Precatalyst Preparation Stabilization and Initiation) complexes (2a and 2b). These reactions tolerate a variety of 2-iodoarenes and diversely substituted terminal alkynes, resulting in the corresponding product in moderate to good yields in an open-air atmosphere. In particular, two palladium(II) PEPPSI complexes 2a and 2b were synthesized in good yields from the reaction of corresponding 1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (MIC: mesoionic carbene), PdCl₂, KI, and K₂CO₃ in pyridine at 110 °C and structurally characterized by various spectroscopic techniques including NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, HRMS and elemental analysis studies. Complex 2b is also characterized by X-ray crystallography.