Iodine-catalyzed synthesis of pyrrole-substituted indolinone

ORGN 479

Bimal K. Banik, banik@panam.edu, Frances Morales, banik@panam.edu, and Magda Cardona. Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas-Pan American, 1201 W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78541
Molecular iodine-catalyzed reactions have become very popular in the synthesis of several organic compounds. There are a number of advantages of using molecular iodine. We have reported the use of iodine in several organic transformations. In particular, recently we have demonstrated a facile method for the synthesis of substituted pyrroles. During the course of this study and in continuation of our endeavor for the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel β-lactams and indoles, we develop a new pathway for the synthesis of novel pyrroles substituted at the indole ring at the C-3 position. The reaction of isatin with commercially available 4-hydroxyproline in the presence of catalytic amounts of iodine in ethanol surprisingly produced these types of compounds. Based on the structure of the final compound, a probable mechanism is postulated. The testing of these derivatives is under progress and the results will be reported in due course.