Potassium Hydroxide Catalysed Intermolecular Aza-Michael Addition of 3-Cyanoindole to Aromatic Enones

Abstract

Indole is one of the utmost important heterocycles as it is an essential nucleus of many pharmaceutical compounds. Its aza-Michael reaction, however, is underdeveloped because of the moiety’s inherent characteristics. Here, a potassium hydroxide catalysed intermolecular aza-Michael reaction of 3-cyanoindole with aromatic enones is described. A variety of chalcone derivatives are well tolerated and afford the corresponding N-adducts in moderate to high yields. The use of a cheap catalyst, low catalyst loading, mild reaction temperature, and good substrate tolerance make this procedure a direct and facile method for the preparation of N1-functionalized indoles.