Synthesis of 2-Alkenyl-2H-indazoles from 2-(2-Carbonylmethyl)-2H-indazoles.

A procedure has been developed for synthesis of 2-alkenyl-2H-indazoles starting from 2-(2-carbonylmethyl)-2H-indazoles, which are prepared by gallium/aluminium- and aluminium-mediated, direct, regioselective alkylation of indazoles with α-bromocarbonyl compounds. The structure of 3-(2H-indazol-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one was proven by X-ray crystallography. The styrene- and coumarin-2H-indazoles produced by using the new method were found to have interesting fluorescence properties.

1. Introduction

Owing to their unique binding affinities to key enzymes and proteins involved metabolic processes, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds have drawn intensive attention in the area of drug discovery [1,2,3,4]. Among these substances, indazoles display a broad range of interesting biological properties that have been used advantageously in the design of new drugs. Consequently, methods for the synthesis of indazole derivatives are in high demand. Special interest has been given to the development of procedures for regioselective introduction of functionality on the two nitrogen atoms of indazoles [5,6,7,8]. This task is simplified somewhat by the fact that the reactivities of the two nitrogen atoms in indazoles are dramatically different. In general, N-1 substituted indazoles are thermodynamically favored products of these processes. However, finding new methods for regioselective synthesis of 2H-indazoles remains a significant challenge in the field of nitrogen heterocycles. While reasonable progress has been made in devising techniques to prepare 2-alkyl- and 2-aryl-2H-indazoles [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16], fewer advances have been made in developing methods for the preparation of 2-alkenyl-2H-indazoles. Thus, a need exists to design operationally simple methods to access the privileged 2-alkenyl-2H-indazole pharmacophore.

Of the methods described thus far, copper-catalyzed vinylation reactions appear to hold the most promise as a new 2-alkenyl-2H-indazole synthesis approach. Unfortunately, our initial studies of this process demonstrated that reaction of indazole (1) with β-bromostyrene is very inefficient, producing 2 in only 9% yield (path (a) in Scheme 1) [17]. An alternative strategy that begins with conventional cyclization reactions of 2-nitrobenzaldehyde and 2-azidobenzaldehyde are not applicable to construction of 2-alkenyl-2H-indazoles owing to the substrate limitations associated with N-alkenyl primary amine, (path (b), Scheme 1) [9,10]. A potentially more productive approach to 2-alkenyl-2H-indazole targets begins with alkylation of indazole with α-bromocarbonyl compounds (path (c), Scheme 1). The major difficulty associated with this process is that N-1 thermodynamic alkylation products predominate in reactions run under most basic conditions [18]. Fortunately, the results of recent studies in this area show that 2H-indazoles are generated through gallium/aluminium- and aluminium-mediated direct regioselective alkylation reactions of an indazole with α-bromocarbonyl compounds [19]. Below, we describe observations made in an investigation in which this new alkylation procedure was applied to the synthesis of a variety of 2-alkenyl-2H-indazoles.

Scheme 1

Strategies for the synthesis of 2-alkenyl-2H-indazoles.

2. Results and Discussion

One approach to the synthesis of 2-alkenyl-2H-indazoles 2 from ketones 3a–j, produced by regioselective alkylation reactions of indazoles with α-bromocarbonyl compounds, is based on a reduction-elimination strategy. Specifically, treatment of 3a–j with sodium borohydride generates alcohols, which are then transformed to either chloride or mesylate derivatives to facilitate elimination to form alkenes. The results in which this sequence is applied to selected indazole-ketones are displayed in Table 1. Conversion of the intermediate alcohols to the corresponding chlorides was accomplished by using phosphoryl chloride. Under these conditions, minor amounts of elimination products were formed along with the chloride intermediates. Treatment of these mixtures with DBU led to clean formation of the target 2-alkenyl-2H-indazoles 2. However, elimination product 2e was formed directly when the corresponding alcohol was treated with phosphoryl chloride. A decomposition process occurred in the chlorination reaction with alcohol intermediate indazole bearing nitro substituent (Table 1, entry 9). The alcohols to alkene transformations can also be accomplished by first forming the mesylate derivatives followed by DBU promoted elimination. Overall, the route B predominated in terms of functional group compatibility and yield. The elimination reactions were observed to generate either E-regioisomers exclusively (Table 1, entries 1, 3–6, 8 and 10) or mixtures of E and Z-isomers (Table 1, entries 2, 7 and 9). The E double bond geometry of 2a was unambiguously assigned by using X-ray crystallography (Figure 1) [20]. The detailed X-ray crystallographic data for 2a are provided in the Supplementary Materials.

Table 1

Synthesis of 2-alkenyl-2H-indazoles 2 from ketones 3.

Entry	Product	2; Yield(%) a from Route A	2; Yield (%) a from Route B
1		65	90
2		52 (10:1) c	98 (8:1) c
3		48	75
4		63	79
5		81 b	87
6		63	85
7		72 (10:1) c	84 (6.5:1) c
8		24	70
9		decomposed	80 (20:1) c
10		75	80

a: Three-step overall yield. b: Two-step overall yield. c: E/Z ratio was determined by using 1H-NMR.

Figure 1

ORTEP plot of X-ray crystallographic data for 2a.

The functionality in the side chain of indazole-ketones 3 is amenable to conversion to α-branched α,β-unsaturated ketones, which have potential as anticancer drugs [21]. As expected, the α-(2H-indazol-2-yl)-enones 4a–f can be readily prepared by aldol condensation reactions between ketone 3g and benzaldehyde derivatives (Scheme 2). Moreover, the indene-linked 2H-indazole 5 can be prepared through reduction of the ketone moiety in 4a followed by polyphosphoric acid (PPA)-promoted intramolecular electrophilic aromatic substitution (Scheme 3, Equation (1)) [22].

Scheme 2

Aldol condensation reactions of 3g with aldehydes.

Scheme 3

Formation of the indene-linked 2H-indazole.

Recently, 2-aryl-2H-indazoles have been identified as a new class of fluorescent compounds [15]. In addition, coumarin derivatives have been widely studied and utilized as fluorescent probes in living cells [23,24,25,26]. We envisioned that coumarin-substituted 2H-indazoles 6 (Scheme 4, Equation (2)) possessing a planar, rigid π-conjugated system might display interesting luminescent behavior. In studies pursuing this proposal we observed that coumarin-indazole 6 can be generated by condensation reaction of the indazole-ester 3k with salicylaldehyde (Equation (2)).

Scheme 4

Synthesis of the coumarin-substituted 2H-indazoles.

It should be noted that the synthesis of coumarin-indazole 6 was carried out previously through a route that begins with reaction of 3-aminocoumarin with o-nitrobenzaldehyde (Scheme 4, Equation (3)) [27]. In addition, coumarin derived N1-indazole 7 was synthesized previously by palladium catalyzed coupling of 3-bromo-coumarin with indazole (Scheme 4, Equation (4)) [28]. Interestingly, the NMR spectroscopic data of our synthetic 6 are totally different from those of the substance prepared earlier as well as those of 7. To gain support for the structural assignment we have made to 6, X-ray crystallographic analysis was performed (Figure 2) [29]. The conflicting observations uncovered in this effort lend credence to our earlier statement in the Introduction section that “conventional cyclization reactions to prepare members of the 2H-indazole family from 2-nitrobenzaldehyde and 2-azidobenzaldehyde are not applicable to the construction of 2-alkenyl-2H-indazoles”. Finally, we determined the fluorescence properties of the new compounds prepared in this effort (Table 2). As can be seen in Table 2, the planar, rigid π-conjugated system 2H-indazoles 2a and 5 display strong fluorescence and 6 possesses a large red stark shift.

Figure 2

ORTEP plot of the crystallographic data for 6.

Table 2

Fluorescence Properties a.

Compd.	λabs (nm)	λem (nm)	ε(M−1cm−1)	φ
2a	322	398, 415	35,400	0.65
5	336	402	29,949	0.71
6	345	517	24,012	0.01

a Fluorescence measurements made on 10−5 M THF solutions of the substances.

3. Experimental Section

3.1. General Information

All commercially available chemicals were used without further purification. TLC analyses were run on glass TLC plates (Silica gel 60 F254) and were visualized using UV and a solution of phosphomolybdic acid in ethanol (5 wt %) or p-anisaldehyde stain. Flash chromatography was performed using silica gel (70–230 mesh). 1H-NMR spectra were recorded on a 300 MHz spectrometer (Bruker AV-300, Bruker BioSpin GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany). 13C-NMR spectra were recorded at 75 MHz with complete proton decoupling spectrometer. Chemical shifts are reported relative to CHCl3 [δH 7.24, δC (central line) 77.0]. Mass spectra were recorded under electron impact ionization (EI) conditions, and high-resolution mass spectra were recorded by electron impact ionization with magnetic sector.

3.2. Synthesis

3.2.1. General Procedure for the Synthesis of 2-Alkenyl-2H-indazoles 2 (Route A)

To a cold solution (ice bath 0–5 °C) of ketone 3 (0.5 mmol) in MeOH/CH2Cl2 (1/1, 10 mL) NaBH4 (0.5 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was added slowly. The resulting mixture was warmed to ambient temperature (ice bath removal). Reaction was monitored by TLC until no starting material was observed and normally the reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 h. The reaction was then cooled to 0–5 °C and quenched with 2 N HCl (10 mL). CH2Cl2 (10 mL) was added and the mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was back extracted with CH2Cl2 (10 mL × 2). The combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The residue was dissolved in POCl3 (0.5 mL) and the mixture was heated to reflux (110 °C) under N2 overnight. The resulting mixture was cooled to 0–5 °C and sat. NaHCO3 was added slowly until no bubble was observed. EtOAc (10 mL) was added and the mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was back extracted with EtOAc (10 mL × 2). The combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered through a silica-gel pad (d × l, 3 cm × 3 cm) and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The residue was dissolved in DBU (1 mL) and the mixture was heated to 90 °C under N2 overnight. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature. EtOAc (10 mL) and H2O (10 mL) were added and the mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was back extracted with EtOAc (10 mL × 2). The combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography using EtOAc/hexanes (1/9) as eluent to give the product 2.

3.2.2. General Procedure for the Synthesis of 2-Alkenyl-2H-indazoles 2 (Route B)

To a cold solution (ice bath 0–5 °C) of ketone 3 (0.5 mmol) in MeOH/CH2Cl2 (1/1, 10 mL) was added NaBH4 (0.5 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) slowly. The resulting mixture was warmed to ambient temperature (ice bath removal). Reaction was monitored by TLC until no starting material was observed and normally the reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 h. The reaction was then cooled to 0–5 °C and quenched with 2 N HCl (10 mL). CH2Cl2 (10 mL) was added and the mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was back extracted with CH2Cl2 (10 mL × 2). The combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The residue was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (5 mL) and the mixture was cooled 0–5 °C (ice bath) under N2. Et3N (0.25 mL, 1.8 mmol) was added followed by MsCl (0.07 mL, 0.9 mmol). The resulting mixture was warmed to ambient temperature (ice bath removal). Reaction was monitored by TLC until no starting material was observed and normally the reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 h. The resulting mixture was cooled to 0–5 °C and sat. NaHCO3 (5 mL) was added slowly. The mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was back extracted with CH2Cl2 (10 mL × 2). The combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The residue was dissolved in DBU (0.6 mL) and the mixture was heated to 90 °C under N2 overnight. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature. EtOAc (10 mL) and H2O (10 mL) were added and the mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was back extracted with EtOAc (10 mL × 2). The combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography using EtOAc/hexanes (1/9) as eluent to give the product 2.

(E)-2-Styryl-2H-indazole (2a): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (Route A: 72 mg, 65%, Route B: 99 mg, 90%). A yellow solid, mp 131–133 °C; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:4)) R = 0.56; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.07 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.25–7.37 (m, 4H), 7.43–7.48 (m, 3H), 7.58–7.65 (m, 2H), 7.75 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.97 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 117.2 (CH), 120.1 (CH), 120.9 (CH), 121.8 (CH), 122.0 (C), 122.2 (CH), 126.2 (CH), 126.4 (CH × 2), 127.0 (CH), 128.0 (CH), 128.7 (CH × 2), 134.1 (C), 149.4 (C); IR (neat) 3131, 2950, 1645 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 220 ([M]+, 56), 219 (100), 129 (97), 77 (22); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C15H12N2: 220.1000, found 220.1004.

2-(4-Bromostyryl)-2H-indazole (2b): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (Route A: 78 mg, 52%, Route B: 147 mg, 98%). A yellow solid, mp 154–156 °C; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:4)) R = 0.50; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.08 (dd, J = 7.8, 6.6 Hz, 1H), 7.28–7.41 (m, 3H), 7.46–7.51 (m, 3H), 7.62–7.75 (m, 3H), 8.10 (s, 0.8H), 8.13 (s, 0.1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 117.3, 119.8, 120.1, 121.1, 121.9, 122.0, 122.1, 122.4, 122.5, 126.5, 126.7, 127.1, 127.3, 127.9, 128.1, 128.8, 131.9, 133.2, 134.2, 149.6; IR (neat) 3062, 2950, 1653 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 300 ([M + 2]+, 71), 299 (100), 298 ([M]+, 73), 118 (97); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C15H11BrN2: 298.0106, found 298.0101.

(E)-2-(4-Chlorostyryl)-2H-indazole (2c): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (Route A: 61 mg, 48%, Route B: 96 mg, 75%). A yellow solid, mp 150–151 °C; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:4)) R = 0.50; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.06 (dd, J = 8.1, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.26–7.40 (m, 6H), 7.55–7.59 (m, 2H), 7.71 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.98 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 117.3 (CH), 119.7 (CH), 120.1 (CH), 122.0 (CH), 122.1 (C), 122.4 (CH), 126.6 (CH), 127.3 (CH), 127.5 (CH × 2), 128.9 (CH × 2), 132.7 (C), 133.7 (C), 149.6 (C); IR (neat) 3031, 2950, 1393 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 256 ([M + 2]+, 25), 254 ([M]+, 81), 253 (100), 118 (80); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C15H11ClN2: 254.0611, found 254.0617.

(E)-2-(4-Methylstyryl)-2H-indazole (2d): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (Route A: 74 mg, 63%, Route B: 93 mg, 79%). A white solid, mp 149–151 °C; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:4)) R = 0.60; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.33 (s, 3H), 7.06 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.23–7.45 (m, 4H), 7.58–7.63 (m, 2H), 7.74 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.98 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 21.1 (CH3), 117.2 (CH), 120.1 (CH), 121.0 (CH), 121.6 (CH), 122.1 (C), 122.2 (CH), 125.6 (CH), 126.3 (CH × 2), 126.9 (CH), 129.4 (CH × 2), 131.3 (C), 138.1 (C), 149.4 (C); IR (neat) 3121, 1602, 1367 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 234 ([M]+, 71), 233 (100), 218 (14), 118 (27); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C16H14N2: 234.1157, found 234.1159.

(E)-2-(4-Methoxystyryl)-2H-indazole (2e): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (Route A: 101 mg, 81%, Route B: 109 mg, 87%). A white solid, mp 137–139 °C; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:4)) R = 0.45; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 3.78 (s, 3H), 6.88 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.06 (t, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (t, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.31–7.43 (m, 3H), 7.55 (d, J = 14.7 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.72 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 8.00 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 55.1 (CH3), 114.2 (CH × 2), 117.2 (CH), 120.0 (CH), 120.8 (CH), 121.5 (CH), 122.1 (C), 122.2 (CH), 124.6 (CH), 126.7 (C), 126.9 (CH), 127.8 (CH × 2), 149.3 (C), 159.6 (C); IR (neat) 3120, 1609, 1517 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 250 ([M]+, 100), 249 (58), 132 (93), 118 (19); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C16H14N2O: 250.1106, found 250.1104.

(E)-2-(2-(Naphthalen-2-yl)vinyl)-2H-indazole (2f): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (Route A: 85 mg, 63%, Route B: 115 mg, 85%). A yellow solid, mp 195–196 °C; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:4)) R = 0.52; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 7.08 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.49–7.55 (m, 2H), 7.67–7.77 (m, 3H), 7.88–7.96 (m, 4H), 8.08 (s, 1H), 8.41 (d, J = 14.1 Hz, 1 H), 8.68 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 117.0 (CH), 120.3 (CH), 120.9 (CH), 121.9 (CH × 2), 123.4 (CH), 123.7 (CH), 126.2 (CH), 126.6 (CH), 126.8 (CH), 127.0 (CH), 127.6 (CH), 127.7 (C), 127.8 (CH), 128.4 (CH), 132.2 (C), 132.6 (C), 133.2 (C) 148.9 (C); IR (neat) 3062, 2950, 1626 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 270 ([M]+, 93), 269 (100), 152 (90), 118 (11); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C19H14N2: 270.1157, found 270.1150.

2-(Prop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-indazole (2g): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (Route A: 57 mg, 72%, Route B: 66 mg, 84%). A yellow oil; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:2)) R = 0.58; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.85 (dd, J = 6.9, 1.8 Hz, 2.60H), 2.02 (dd, J = 6.9, 1.5 Hz, 0.40H), 5.60–5.62 (m, 0.13H), 6.39–6.99 (m, 0.87H), 7.00–7.07 (m, 2H), 7.21–7.28 (m, 1H), 7.55–7.72 (m, 2H), 7.89 (s, 0.87H), 7.96 (s, 0.13H), 8.65 (s, 0.87H), 8.70 (s, 0.13H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 12.9, 14.8, 117.3, 117.7, 120.0, 120.5, 121.8, 121.9, 126.5, 128.3, 149.0; IR (neat) 3113, 2933, 1624 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 158 ([M]+, 46), 157 (28), 131 (100), 118 (12); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C10H10N2: 158.0844, found 158.0843.

(E)-2-(3,3-Dimethylbut-1-en-1-yl)-2H-indazole (2h): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (Route A: 24 mg, 24%, Route B: 70 mg, 70%). An oil; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:2)) R = 0.70; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.18 (s, 9H), 6.59 (d, J = 14.4 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (d, J = 14.4 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 8.00 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 25.6 (CH3 × 3), 32.3 (C), 117.3 (CH), 120.0 (CH), 121.0 (CH), 121.8 (C), 122.0 (CH), 124.5 (CH), 126.5 (CH), 133.4 (CH), 149.1 (C); IR (neat) 3062, 2950, 1633 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 200 ([M]+, 74), 185 (100), 131 (57), 118 (58); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C13H16N2: 200.1313, found 200.1315.

6-Nitro-2-(prop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-indazole (2i): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (Route B: 81 mg, 80%). A green solid, mp 103–105 °C; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:4)) R = 0.20; 1H-NMR (acetone-d6) δ 1.92 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 2.85H), 2.15 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 0.15H), 5.78–5.88 (m, 0.05H), 6.68–6.80 (m, 0.95H), 7.33–7.40 (m, 1H), 7.78–7.91 (m, 2H), 8.54 (s, 1.9H), 8.55 (s, 0.1H); 13C-NMR (acetone-d6) δ 15.0 (CH3), 115.7 (CH), 116.2 (CH), 121.1 (CH), 123.2 (CH), 123.8 (CH), 125.3 (C), 129.5 (CH), 147.7 (C), 147.8 (C); IR (neat) 3051, 1514, 1342 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 203 ([M]+, 100), 176 (95), 156 (27), 130 (47); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C10H9N3O2: 203.0695, found 203.0699.

(E)-6-Bromo-2-styryl-2H-indazole (2j): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (Route A: 112 mg, 75%, Route B: 120 mg, 80%). A yellow solid, mp 118–120 °C; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:4)) R = 0.50; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.15 (dd, J = 9.0, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.28–7.40 (m, 3H), 7.44–7.52 (m, 4H), 7.67 (d, J = 14.4 Hz, 1H), 7.89 (s, 1H), 8.09 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 119.7 (CH), 120.6 (C), 121.1 (C), 121.5 (CH), 121.7 (CH), 122.2 (CH), 126.0 (CH), 126.1 (CH × 2), 126.5 (CH), 128.3 (CH), 128.8 (CH × 2), 133.9 (C), 150.0 (C); IR (neat) 3062, 2950, 1625 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 300 ([M + 2]+, 56), 299 (100), 298 ([M]+, 61), 77 (32); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C15H11BrN2: 298.0106, found 298.0109.

3.2.3. General procedure for the synthesis of 2-alkenyl-2H-indazoles 4:

A mixture of ketone 3g (1.0 mmol), aldehyde (1.5 mmol), and conc. HCl (3 drops) in CH3CN (1 mL) was heated to reflux under nitrogen. Reaction was monitored by TLC until no starting material was observed and normally the reaction was stirred under reflux for 4 h. The reaction was then cooled to ambient temperature and quenched with sat. NaHCO3 until pH was 7. CH2Cl2 (10 mL) was added and the mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was back extracted with CH2Cl2 (10 mL × 2). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography using EtOAc/hexanes (1/10) as eluent to give the product 4.

(E)-3-(2H-Indazol-2-yl)-4-phenylbut-3-en-2-one (4a): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (184 mg, 70%). A yellow oil; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:2)) R = 0.35; 1H-NMR (acetone-d6) δ 2.20 (s, 3H), 6.83 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.06–7.16 (m, 3H), 7.25–7.33 (m, 2H), 7.69–7.73 (m, 2H), 7.95 (s, 1H), 8.22 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (acetone-d6) δ 26.3 (CH3), 119.2 (CH), 122.2 (CH), 123.3 (CH), 123.9 (C), 126.9 (CH), 127.8 (CH), 130.0 (CH × 2), 131.7 (CH × 2), 132.2 (CH), 133.1 (C), 138.2 (C), 138.3 (CH), 151.0 (C), 194.8 (C); IR (neat) 3062, 1683, 1610 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 262 ([M]+, 46), 261 (100), 219 (34), 118 (41); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C17H14N2O: 262.1106, found 262.1099.

(E)-4-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-(2H-indazol-2-yl)but-3-en-2-one (4b): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (232 mg, 68%). A yellow oil; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:2)) R = 0.38; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.12 (s, 3H), 6.55 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.09–7.14 (m, 1H), 7.24 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.30–7.36 (m, 1H), 7.64 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.74–7.80 (m, 2H), 7.90 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 25.6 (CH3), 118.0 (CH), 120.4 (CH), 122.4 (C), 122.6 (CH), 124.6 (CH), 125.7 (C), 127.0 (CH), 129.9 (C), 131.6 (CH × 2), 132.0 (CH × 2), 135.7 (CH), 136.4 (C), 149.8 (C), 193.9 (C); IR (neat) 3062, 1674, 1619 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 342 ([M + 2]+, 49), 341 (100), 340 ([M]+, 49), 118 (88); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C17H13BrN2O: 340.0211, found 340.0214.

(E)-4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(2H-indazol-2-yl)but-3-en-2-one (4c): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (208 mg, 70%). A yellow oil; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:2)) R = 0.38; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.12 (s, 3 H), 6.62 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.05–7.14 (m, 3H), 7.30–7.36 (m, 2H), 7.64 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.75–7.80 (m, 2H), 7.90 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 25.6 (CH3), 118.1 (CH), 120.4 (CH), 122.4 (C), 122.6 (CH), 124.6 (CH), 127.0 (CH), 129.1 (CH × 2), 129.5 (C), 131.5 (CH × 2), 135.7 (CH), 136.4 (C), 137.2 (C), 149.9 (C), 194.0 (C); IR (neat) 3062, 1683, 1491 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 298 ([M + 2]+, 18), 296 ([M]+, 51), 295 (100), 118 (64); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C17H13ClN2O: 296.0716, found 296.0708.

(E)-4-(2-(2H-Indazol-2-yl)-3-oxobut-1-en-1-yl)benzonitrile (4d): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (184 mg, 64%). A yellow oil; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:2)) R = 0.20; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.16 (s, 3H), 6.68 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.13 (t, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.32–7.41 (m, 3H), 7.63 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.74 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (s, 1H), 7.88 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 25.8 (CH3), 113.8 (C), 117.8 (C), 118.0 (CH), 120.4 (CH), 122.4 (C), 122.9 (CH), 124.7 (CH), 127.3 (CH), 130.4 (CH × 2), 132.3 (CH × 2), 134.3 (CH), 135.4 (C), 138.1 (C), 149.9 (C), 193.9 (C); IR (neat) 3064, 1677, 1631 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 287 ([M]+, 55), 286 (100), 244 (25), 118 (30); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C18H13N3O: 287.1059, found 287.1049.

(E)-4-(2-Chlorophenyl)-3-(2H-indazol-2-yl)but-3-en-2-one (4e): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (220 mg, 74%). A yellow oil; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:2)) R = 0.50; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.21 (s, 3H), 6.30 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.78 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.03–7.16 (m, 2H), 7.26–7.37 (m, 2H), 7.55 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (s, 1H), 8.10 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 25.9 (CH3), 118.0 (CH), 120.4 (CH), 122.1 (C), 122.4 (CH), 125.1 (CH), 126.9 (CH), 127.0 (CH), 129.4 (CH), 129.6 (CH), 129.9 (C), 131.4 (CH), 132.5 (CH), 135.7 (C), 137.9 (C), 149.7 (C), 193.8 (C); IR (neat) 3053, 1693, 1624 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 296 ([M]+, 3), 262 (18), 261 (100), 118 (9); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C17H13ClN2O: 296.0716, found 296.0718.

(E)-4-(3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(2H-indazol-2-yl)but-3-en-2-one (4f): Following the general procedure, the title compound was obtained (200 mg, 62%). A brown solid, mp 94–96 °C; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:2)) R = 0.35; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.19 (s, 3H), 3.22 (s, 6H), 5.72 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 2H), 6.30 (t, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.04–7.09 (m, 1H), 7.25–7.30 (m, 1H), 7.60 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.72–7.75 (m, 2 H), 7.90 (s, 1H); 13C- NMR (CDCl3) δ 25.7 (CH3), 54.6 (CH3 × 2), 104.4 (CH), 107.4 (CH × 2), 117.7 (CH), 120.3 (CH), 122.4 (C), 122.5 (CH), 125.1 (CH), 126.9 (CH), 132.3 (C), 136.2 (C), 137.9 (CH), 149.7 (C), 160.4 (C × 2), 194.0 (C); IR (neat) 3120, 1697, 1583 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 322 ([M]+, 78), 321 (100), 279 (21), 189 (32); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C19H18N2O3: 322.1317, found 322.1318.

2-(1-Methyl-1H-inden-2-yl)-2H-indazole (5). To a solution of ketone 4a (184 mg, 0.7 mmol) in MeOH (7 mL) was added CeCl3–7H2O (135 mg, 0.36 mmol) followed by NaBH4 (28 mg, 0.7 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) at ambient temperature. The reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 h and then quenched with H2O (10 mL). CH2Cl2 (10 mL) was added and the mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was back extracted with CH2Cl2 (10 mL × 2). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The residue (174 mg) was dissolved in DCE (2.4 mL) and PPA (0.66 mL) was added. The mixture was heated to 90 °C under N2 for 2 h. The resulting mixture was cooled to 0–5 °C and sat. NaHCO3 was added slowly until pH was 7. CH2Cl2 (10 mL) was added and the mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was back extracted with CH2Cl2 (10 mL × 2). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography using EtOAc/hexanes (1/200) as eluent to give the product 5. (121 mg, 70%). A yellow solid, mp 74–75 °C; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:2)) R = 0.63; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.52 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 3H), 4.23 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.23–7.45 (m, 5H), 7.66 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.80 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 8.20 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 16.9 (CH3), 43.2 (CH), 117.4 (CH), 117.6 (CH), 120.1 (CH), 121.0 (CH), 121.5 (CH), 122.2 (C), 122.4 (CH), 122.7 (CH), 125.4 (CH), 126.9 (CH), 127.0 (CH), 141.0 (C), 145.9 (C), 149.6 (C), 149.7 (C); IR (neat) 3062, 1634, 1486 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 246 ([M]+, 100), 245 (92), 231 (34), 128 (45); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C17H14N2: 246.1157, found 246.1155.

3-(2H-Indazol-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one (6). A mixture of ethyl 2-(2H-indazol-2-yl)acetate (204 mg, 1.0 mmol), 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (122 mg, 1.0 mmol), and piperidine (43 mg, 0.5 mmol) in EtOH (1 mL) was heated to reflux. After 15 h, the reaction was then cooled to ambient temperature and quenched with sat. NH4Cl until pH was 7. CH2Cl2 (10 mL) was added and the mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was back extracted with CH2Cl2 (10 mL × 2). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography using EtOAc/hexanes (1/10) as eluent to give the product 6 (167 mg, 64%). A yellow solid, mp 151–152 °C; TLC (EtOAc/hexanes (1:4)) R = 0.45; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 7.11 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.67–7.73 (m, 2H), 7.82 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 8.87 (s, 1H), 9.17 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 116.1 (CH), 117.0 (CH), 118.6 (C), 121.5 (CH), 122.0 (C), 122.4 (CH), 125.4 (CH), 125.5 (CH), 125.8 (C), 127.9 (CH), 129.5 (CH), 132.5 (CH), 134.1 (CH), 148.6 (C), 152.0 (C), 156.2 (C); IR (neat) 3154, 1722, 1600 cm−1; EI-MS m/z (rel intensity) 262 ([M]+, 79), 236 (77), 127 (64), 105 (100); HRMS [M]+ calcd for C16H10N2O2: 262.0742, found 262.0734.

4. Conclusions

In conclusion, the studies described above have led to the development of a method for the synthesis of 2-alkenyl-2H-indazoles from α-(2H-indazol-2-yl)ketones. The 2-alkenyl-2H-indazole products may be potentially useful as fluorescent probes or as anticancer drugs.