Synthesis of Novel 1,4-Naphthoquinones Possessing Indole Scaffolds Using In(OTf)₃ in Solvent-Free Conditions.

Novel 1,4-naphthoquinones possessing indole scaffolds were prepared by the reaction of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone-substituted salicylic aldehydes and indoles using In(OTf)₃ as a catalyst. The method has the advantages of simple operation, mild reaction conditions, and friendly environment.

1. Introduction

Multi-component reactions, in which multiple reactants are combined to form a single, more complex system, have been used extensively to synthesize chemically and biologically important compounds [1]. This reaction provides a wide range of possibilities to efficiently construct highly complex molecules in one process, thus avoiding complex purification operations and saving solvents and reagents. In the past decade, the three component and four component reactions have undergone tremendous development [2].

Quinone skeletons are present in a broad range of natural products and synthetic molecules with important biological activities [3]. Among them, 1,4-naphthoquinone scaffolds have received considerable attention because of the synthetic challenges associated with their changeable molecular architecture and their interesting biological properties, such as their anticancer [4], antifungal [5], antiviral [6], and anti-inflammatory activities [7]. 1,4-Naphthoquinone skeleton can be found in a wide range of natural products, such as α-lapachone [8], rhinacanthin C [9], and avicequinone C [10] (Figure 1). In this context, the development of facile methods to access these new targets with structural diversity is very desirable and valuable for drug discovery.

Figure 1

Structure of some natural 1,4-naphthoquinones.

Bioactive indole compounds are widely distributed in nature [11] and presented in the market [12] as active pharmaceutical ingredients [13,14]. Moreover, in modern times, indole derivatives are significant players in a diverse array of markets such as dyes, plastics, agriculture, vitamin supplements, over-the-counter drugs, flavor enhancers, and perfumery.

Herein, we describe a simple and efficient method for rapid preparation of 1,4-naphthoquinones possessing indole scaffolds using a catalytic amount of In(OTf)3 under solvent-free conditions (Scheme 1). As far as we know, it is probably the first example of synthesis 1,4-naphthoquinones possessing indole scaffolds using In(OTf)3 as catalyst under solvent-free conditions. As a result, 1,4-naphthoquinones-fused indoles, which combine two kinds of bioactive heterocyclic nuclei, are expected to become a research hotspot in pharmacology. Further studies to delineate the activities of the novel compounds are underway.

Scheme 1

Synthesis of 1,4-naphthoquinones possessing indole scaffolds.

2. Results and Discussion

Initially, we began our studies by evaluating the reaction between 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, salicylic aldehyde, and 2-phenylindole using In(OTf)3 (20 mol %) as the catalyst in toluene as the solvent at 110 °C for 8 h, which provided the desired product 4a in a 35% yield. Encouraged by this preliminary result, the screening of solvents and catalysts, as well as the in fluence of temperature and catalyst loading, was investigated to establish the optimized reaction conditions (Table 1). Solvent effects were first investigated (Table 1, compare entries 1–6). The neat reaction provided higher yields than those using other organic solvents (entries 2–6). To improve the yields, we then examined this reaction using different catalysts; the In(OTf)3 catalyst showed the best performance (entry 6). When this reaction was carried out without In(OTf)3 or in the presence of p-TsOH, H2SO4, FeCl3, Sc(OTf)3, or InCl3, the product was obtained in low yield (Table 1, entries 7–12). The effect of the reaction temperature was investigated; it was observed that the reaction performed at 110 °C provided the best results (entries 6, 13–15). We also evaluated the amount of In(OTf)3 required for the reaction; the results from Table 1 (entries 6, 16–18) show that 10 mol % In(OTf)3 at 110 °C under solvent-free conditions is optimal for the reaction.

Table 1

Reaction conditions optimization for the synthesis 4a.

Entry	Solvent	Catalyst	Temperature/°C	Time/h	Yield/% 1
1	Toluene	In(OTf)3 (10 mol %)	110	8	35
2	DMF	In(OTf)3 (10 mol %)	110	8	39
3	EtOH	In(OTf)3 (10 mol %)	reflux	12	8
4	CH3CN	In(OTf)3 (10 mol %)	reflux	12	7
5	H2O	In(OTf)3 (10 mol %)	110	12	trace
6	-	In(OTf)3 (10 mol %)	110	6	53
7	-	-	110	10	11
8	-	p-TsOH (10 mol %)	110	8	25
9	-	H2SO4 (10 mol %)	110	8	8
10	-	FeCl3 (10 mol %)	110	8	29
11	-	Sc(OTf)3 (10 mol %)	110	8	36
12		InCl3 (10 mol %)	110	8	42
13	-	In(OTf)3 (10 mol %)	25	12	trace
14	-	In(OTf)3 (10 mol %)	100	6	43
15		In(OTf)3 (10 mol %)	120	6	51
16	-	In(OTf)3 (5 mol %)	110	6	40
17	-	In(OTf)3 (15 mol %)	110	6	49
18	-	In(OTf)3 (20 mol %)	110	6	53

1 Isolated yield.

Under optimal conditions, we then developed the design and diversity-oriented synthesis of novel 1,4-naphthoquinones possessing indole scaffolds. Different substituted salicylic aldehydes and indoles were applied to this reaction to access structural diversity of target molecules. As illustrated in Table 2, the method is suitable for a wide scope of substituted salicylic aldehydes and indoles. In all cases, the three component reactions are regioselective to 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives 4, and their structures were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. For example, the infrared spectra of 4a exhibited that the absorption of two C=O bonds existed at 1650 and 1632 cm−1; the high resolution mass spectrum of 4a showed the quasi ion peak ([M + Na]+) at m/z = 476.1262, which agreed with the 1:1:1 adduct of 2-phenylindole, salicylic aldehyde, and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone with the loss of two water molecules. The 1H NMR spectrum of 4a displayed two singlets at δ = 5.82 ppm and δ = 11.39 ppm, which belong to CH group of C-12 position and NH protons, respectively. 13C NMR spectrum of 4a exhibited 29 distinct resonances. Among them, three characteristic signals at δ = 29.5 ppm (arising from the Ar–CH group), 183.9, and 178.2 ppm (due to the two nonequivalent carbonyl groups) were shown.

Table 2

Preparation of 1,4-naphthoquinones possessing indole scaffolds.

Entry	R1	R2	Time/h	Product	Yield/%
1	H	2-Ph	6	4a	53
2	5-Br	2-Ph	5	4b	57
3	5-Cl	2-Ph	6	4c	50
4	3-Br-5-Cl	2-Ph	5	4d	53
5	5-Me	2-Ph	7	4e	48
6	5-NO2	2-Ph	7	4f	46
7	5-MeO	2-Ph	7	4g	42
8	3,5-Br2	2-Ph	5	4h	63
9	4-MeO	2-Ph	6	4i	55
10	3-Br-5-Cl	H	7	4j	41
10	5-Cl	H	7	4k	42
12	5-Br	H	7	4l	44
13	5-F	H	7	4m	47
14	5-Cl	2-Me	5	4n	59
15	5-Me	2-Me	5	4o	48
16	H	2-Me	5	4p	50
17	H	5-MeO	7	4q	40
18	H	4-MeO	7	4r	42
19	H	5-Cl	7	4s	43

In Scheme 2, we show the suggested ways to form the hybrid. It is possible that lawone initially reacts with substituted salicylic aldehyde 2 to form olefin 5, which goes through a nucleophilic addition of indole to form the Mannich-type intermediate 6. This step is then followed by an intramolecular dehydration to yield to product 4.

Scheme 2

A suggested pathway for the formation of 1,4-naphthoquinones-possessing indole scaffolds.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. General Information

Melting points were determined on a XT-4 binocular microscope and were uncorrected. NMR spectra were determined on Bruker AV-400 spectrometer at room temperature using TMS as internal standard. IR spectra were determined on FTS-40 infrared spectrometer. High resolution mass spectra were recorded on a bruker micrOTOF-QIII mass spectrometer. Commercially available reagents were used throughout without further purification, unless otherwise stated.

3.2. General Procedure for the Synthesis of Compounds 4

To a mixture of indole (1 mmol), substituted salicylic aldehyde (1 mmol) and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (1 mmol), In(OTf)3 (0.1 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred at 110 °C for 5–7 h. After completion of the reaction (TLC), the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, treated with water (10 mL), extracted with CH2Cl2 (2 × 10 mL), and filtered, and the solvent is evaporated in vacuo. Solvent was evaporated and the crude product purified by silica gel column chromatography using petroleum ether: dichloromethane (v:v = 1:3) as eluent to afford the pure product 4 (the copy of IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HMRS of compounds 4 see Supplementary Materials).

12-(2-Phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4a): Reddish-brown powder, m.p. 260–262 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d6) δ: 11.39 (s, 1H), 8.07–8.00 (m, 3H), 7.90–7.80 (m, 3H), 7.59 (t, 2H, J = 7.6 Hz), 7.49 (t, 1H, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.31–7.28 (m, 4H), 7.23–7.21 (m, 2H), 7.19 (t, 2H, J = 1.2 Hz), 5.82 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.9, 178.2, 150.9, 148.2, 136.3, 135.3, 135.2, 134.4, 133.4, 131.8, 130.7, 129.8, 129.6 (2C), 129.2 (2C), 128.7, 128.6, 126.9, 126.5, 126.3, 126.1, 124.1, 121.8, 121.3, 119.8, 118.1, 117.2, 115.2, 112.0, 29.5; IR (KBr): v 3360, 1632, 1650 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C31H19NNaO3 [M + Na]+: 476.1263, found: 476.1262.

2-Bromo-12-(2-Phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4b): Red powder, m.p. 279–280 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d6) δ: 11.46 (s, 1H), 8.04–8.02 (m, 1H), 7.93–7.78 (m, 5H), 7.58 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.48 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.37–7.32 (m, 3H), 7.24 (d, J = 8.8 Hz ,1H), 7.04 (t, J = 7.6 Hz ,1H), 6.92–6.89 (m, 2H), 5.79 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.6, 177.8, 150.5, 147.3, 136.2, 135.6, 135.2, 134.5, 133.2, 132.0, 131.6 (2C), 130.6, 129.5 (2C), 129.3 (2C), 128.7, 126.8, 126.6, 126.5, 126.3, 122.0, 120.9, 120.0, 119.6, 118.0, 117.4, 114.8, 112.2, 19.4; IR (KBr): v 3379, 1671, 1634 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C31H18BrNNaO3 [M + Na]+: 554.0368, found: 554.0362.

2-Chloro-12-(2-Phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4c): Red powder, m.p. 275-276 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d6) δ: 11.46 (s, 1H), 8.05–8.03 (m, 1H), 7.93–7.80 (m, 5H), 7.58 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.49 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.34–7.32 (m, 3H), 7.27–7.24 (m, 1H), 7.04 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.92 (t, J = 7.6 Hz ,1H), 6.77 (d, J = 2.0 Hz ,1H), 6.92–6.89 (m, 2H), 5.81 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.6, 177.9, 150.6, 146.9, 136.2, 135.6, 135.2, 134.5, 133.2, 131.7, 130.7, 129.5 (2C), 129.4 (2C), 129.3, 129.0, 128.8, 128.7, 126.8, 126.5, 126.3, 126.2, 122.0, 120.8, 120.0, 119.3, 118.0, 114.8, 112.2, 29.6; IR (KBr): v 3377, 1675, 1634 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C31H18ClNNaO3 [M + Na]+: 510.0873, found: 510.0858.

4-Bromo-2-chloro-12-(2-Phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4d): Red powder, m.p. 243–244 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d6) δ: 11.49 (s, 1H), 8.07–8.04 (m, 1H), 7.90–7.80 (m, 5H), 7.67 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.57–7.46 (m, 3H), 7.39–7.32 (m, 2H), 7.08–7.04 (m, 1H), 6.97–6.93 (m, 1H), 6.78 (d, J = 2.4 Hz ,1H), 5.85 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.5, 177.4, 150.3, 144.2, 136.1, 136.0, 135.2, 134.6, 133.0, 131.6, 130.7, 129.6, 129.5 (2C), 129.2 (2C), 128.8, 128.5, 127.7, 127.4, 126.8, 126.5, 126.4, 122.1, 121.3, 120.1, 118.0, 114.6, 112.2, 112.0, 30.0; IR (KBr): v 3288, 1685, 1637 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C31H17BrClNNaO3 [M + Na]+: 587.9978, found: 587.9968.

2-Methyl-12-(2-Phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4e): Orange-red powder, m.p. 244–245 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d6) δ: 11.38 (s, 1H), 8.03–7.99 (m, 3H), 7.86–776 (m, 3H), 7.60 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.50 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.32–7.26 (m, 2H), 7.13 (d, J = 8.0 Hz ,1H), 7.03–6.96 (m, 2H), 6.86 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 6.63 (s, 3H), 5.72 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.7, 178.2, 150.9, 146.2, 136.3, 135.3, 135.1, 134.3, 133.5, 131.8, 130.7, 129.8, 129.5 (2C), 129.4 (2C), 129.2, 128.5, 126.9, 126.4, 126.3, 123.7, 121.8, 121.1, 119.7, 118.1, 117.0, 115.2, 112.0, 29.5, 20.8; IR (KBr): v 3372, 1677, 1631 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C32H21NNaO3 [M + Na]+: 490.1419, found: 490.1410.

2-Nitro-12-(2-Phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4f): Yellow powder, m.p. 245–246 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 11.49 (s, 1H), 8.07–8.04 (m, 1H), 7.90–7.80 (m, 5H), 7.67 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.57–7.46 (m, 3H), 7.39–7.32 (m, 2H), 7.08–7.04 (m, 1H), 6.97–6.93 (m, 1H), 6.78 (d J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 5.85 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.6, 177.6, 152.3, 150.2, 144.7, 136.2, 136.0, 135.3, 134.7, 133.0, 131.6, 130.7, 129.5 (2C), 129.3 (2C), 128.9, 126.8, 126.6, 126.4, 125.7, 125.5, 124.4, 122.1, 121.3, 120.1, 118.7, 118.1, 114.9, 112.2, 29.6; IR (KBr): v 3358, 1680, 1665, 1644 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C31H18N2NaO5 [M + Na]+: 521.113, found: 521.1106.

2-Methoxy-12-(2-Phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4g): Yellow powder, m.p. 211–212 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d6) δ: 11.35 (s, 1H), 8.06–7.98 (m, 3H), 7.88–7.78 (m, 3H), 7.59 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.48 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.31–7.26 (m, 2H), 7.02–6.98 (m, 1H), 6.88–6.83 (m, 2H), 6.73 (d J = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 6.60–6.58 (m, 1H), 5.72 (s, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.8, 178.2, 159.4, 150.9, 148.7, 136.3, 135.2, 135.1, 134.4, 133.5, 131.8, 130.7, 130.3, 129.5 (2C), 129.2 (2C), 128.5, 126.9, 126.4, 126.3, 121.8, 121.6, 119.7, 118.2, 115.9, 115.4, 113.2, 112.0, 101.7, 55.9, 29.0; IR (KBr): v 3326, 1682, 1638 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C32H21NNaO4 [M + Na]+: 506.1368, found: 506.1358.

2,4-Dibromo-12-(2-phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4h): Red powder, m.p. 252–253 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d6) δ: 11.50 (s, 1H), 8.06 (dd, J = 2.0, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.88–7.82 (m, 5H), 7.77 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.57–7.47 (m, 3H), 7.39–7.33 (m, 2H), 7.08–7.04 (m, 1H), 6.96 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 5.85 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.5, 177.4, 150.3, 144.6, 136.1, 136.0, 135.2, 134.6, 134.2, 133.0, 131.6, 131.5, 130.7, 129.5 (2C), 129.3 (2C), 128.8, 128.1, 126.8, 126.5, 126.4, 122.1, 121.4, 120.1, 118.0, 117.3, 114.7, 112.2, 112.1, 29.9; IR (KBr): v 3289, 1683, 1635 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C31H17Br2NNaO3 [M + Na]+: 631.9473, found: 631.9462.

3-Methoxy-12-(2-phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4i): Orange-red powder, m.p. 244–245 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 11.40 (s, 1H), 8.05–8.00 (m, 3H), 7.88–7.78 (m, 3H), 7.61 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.50 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.32–7.20 (m, 3H), 7.03–6.99 (m, 1H), 6.88–6.84 (m, 1H), 6.77 (dd, J = 2.8, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 5.75 (s, 1H), 3.51 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.8, 178.2, 156.8, 151.2, 142.1, 136.3, 135.3, 135.1, 134.3, 133.4, 131.8, 130.7, 129.6 (2C), 129.3 (2C), 128.6, 126.8, 126.4, 126.3, 125.1, 121.8, 120.2, 119.7, 118.3, 118.1, 115.0, 114.1, 114.0, 112.1, 55.5, 29.9; IR (KBr): v 3304, 1683, 1638 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C32H21NNaO4 [M + Na]+: 506.1368, found: 506.1357.

4-Bromo-2-chloro-12-(1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4j): Yellow-brown powder, m.p. 248–250 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 11.08 (s, 1H), 8.10 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.92–7.84 (m, 3H), 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (s, 1H), 7.38 (s, 1H), 7.33–7.31 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.08–7.00 (m, 2H), 5.71 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.2, 177.7, 150.5, 144.9, 136.7, 135.0, 134.6, 131.7, 131.3, 131.2, 129.6, 129.0, 128.6, 126.6, 126.2, 125.5, 124.9, 122.1, 121.8, 119.7, 118.5, 118.2, 112.3, 111.8, 29.9; IR (KBr): v 3403, 1633, 1680 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C25H13BrClNNaO3 [M + Na]+: 511.9665, found: 511.9664.

2-chloro-12-(1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4k): Brown powder, m.p. 343–345 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 11.04 (s, 1H), 7.91–7.89 (m, 1H), 7.85–7.82 (m, 3H), 7.61 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.46–7.30 (m, 5H), 7.06–6.96 (m, 2H), 5.67 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.4, 178.2, 150.5, 147.6, 136.7, 135.0, 134.4, 131.8, 131.1, 129.5, 129.4, 128.5, 127.1, 126.5, 126.2, 125.6, 124.6, 121.7, 119.5, 119.3, 118.5 (2C), 112.3, 29.5; IR (KBr): v 3410, 1634, 1685 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C25H14ClNNaO3 [M + Na]+: 434.0560, found: 434.0559.

2-Bromo-12-(1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4l): Reddish-brown powder, m.p. 262–264 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 8.10–8.07 (m, 1H), 7.91–7.82 (m, 3H), 7.61–7.58 (m, 2H), 7.46–7.43 (m, 1H), 7.36–7.30 (m, 3H), 7.04 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.98 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.3, 178.2, 150.5, 148.1, 136.7, 135.0, 134.4, 132.5, 131.8, 131.4, 131.1, 127.5, 126.5, 126.2, 125.6, 124.6, 121.8, 121.7, 119.7, 119.5 (2C), 118.5, 117.4, 112.3, 29.4; IR (KBr): v 3410, 1633, 1683 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C25H14BrNNaO3 [M + Na]+: 478.0055, found: 478.0056.

2-Fluoro-12-(1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4m): Reddish-brown powder, m.p. 330–332 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 11.02 (s, 1H), 8.10–8.08 (m, 1H), 7.92–7.82 (m, 3H), 7.61 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.43–7.40 (m, 1H), 7.35–7.22 (m, 3H), 7.15–7.10 (m, 1H), 7.04 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 5.66 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.4, 178.4, 160.6, 150.7, 145.2, 136.8, 135.0, 134.4, 131.8, 131.1, 126.5, 126.2, 125.6, 124.5, 121.6, 121.2, 119.5, 119.2, 119.1, 118.5, 118.4, 115.8, 115.7, 112.2, 29.8; IR (KBr): v 3416, 1650, 1638 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C25H14FNNaO3 [M + Na]+: 418.0855, found: 418.0858.

2-Chloro-12-(2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4n): Reddish-brown powder, m.p. 264–265 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 11.00 (s, 1H), 8.05–7.79 (m, 4H), 7.41 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.33–7.30 (m, 1H), 7.19 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.07 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.79 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 5.57 (s, 1H), 2.63 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.4, 178.2, 149.9, 147.8, 135.5, 135.1, 134.5, 133.4, 131.7, 130.8, 129.9, 129.6, 128.7, 126.7, 126.5, 126.2, 121.1, 120.5, 119.3, 119.0, 116.9, 113.5, 111.4, 29.1, 12.1; IR (KBr): v 3379, 1679, 1660, 1635 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C26H16ClNNaO3 [M + Na]+: 448.0716, found: 448.0707.

2-Methyl-12-(2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4o): Reddish-brown powder, m.p. 269–270 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 10.92 (s, 1H), 8.01 (dd, J = 4.0, 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.85–7.75 (m, 3H), 7.20–7.17 (m, 2H), 7.09–7.02 (m, 2H), 6.90–6.85 (m, 2H), 6.77 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 5.44 (s, 1H), 2.59 (s, 3H), 2.15 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.5, 178.5, 150.2, 146.9, 135.4, 135.3, 135.0, 134.3, 132.9, 131.7, 130.8, 130.4, 129.3, 126.8, 126.4, 126.1, 123.6, 121.4, 120.4, 119.1, 117.1, 116.8, 114.1, 111.2, 29.1, 20.7, 12.1; IR (KBr): v 3375, 1673, 1632 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C27H19NNaO3 [M + Na]+: 428.1263, found: 428.1263.

12-(2-Methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4p): Yellow-brown powder, m.p. 350–352 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 10.94 (s, 1H), 8.05 (d, J = 4.4Hz, 1H), 7.86–7.80 (m, 3H), 7.35–7.24 (m, 2H), 7.18–7.07 (m, 4H), 6.87 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.77 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H) 5.55 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.5, 178.5, 150.2, 148.9, 135.5, 135.1, 134.4, 132.9, 131.7, 130.8, 130.5, 128.6, 126.8, 126.5, 126.2, 126.1, 124.0, 121.6, 120.4, 119.1, 117.1, 117.0, 114.1, 111.2, 29.0, 12.1; IR (KBr): v 3401, 2919, 1631, 1649 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C26H17NNaO3 [M + Na]+: 414.1106, found: 414.1102.

12-(5-Methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4q): Yellow-brown powder, m.p. 260–261 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 10.82 (s, 1H), 8.10–8.08 (m, 1H), 7.93–7.83 (m, 3H), 7.42 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (d, J = 7.6Hz, 1H), 7.30–7.24 (m, 2H), 7.19–7.12 (m, 2H), 7.06 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.70–6.67 (m, 1H), 5.61 (s, 1H), 3.72 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.5, 178.5, 153.7, 150.7, 149.0, 135.0, 134.4, 131.9, 131.1, 130.2, 128.6, 126.8, 126.5, 126.2, 126.0, 125.0, 124.9, 122.2, 118.7, 117.2, 112.8, 111.3, 100.7, 55.7, 29.5; IR (KBr): v 3442, 2926, 1631, 1654 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C26H17NNaO4 [M + Na]+: 430.1055, found: 430.1062.

12-(4-Methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4r): Yellow-brown powder, m.p. 190–192 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 8.12–8.10 (m, 1H), 7.87–7.81 (m, 3H), 7.47 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.27–7.16 (m, 3H), 7.09 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.89 (d, J = 8.0Hz, 1H), 6.51 (d, J = 7.6Hz, 1H), 5.91 (s, 1H), 3.94 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.6, 178.7, 154.2, 151.0, 148.4, 138.3, 135.0 (2C), 133.7, 132.4, 131.1, 130.1, 128.0, 126.4, 125.9, 123.4, 122.7, 120.1, 117.2, 115.7, 111.5, 105.5, 99.9, 55.4, 29.8; IR(KBr): v 3441, 2930, 1633, 1644 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C26H17NNaO4 [M + Na]+: 430.1055, found: 430.1054.

12-(5-Chloro-1H-indol-3-yl)-12H-benzo[b]xanthene-6,11-dione (4s): Yellow-brown powder, m.p. 256–257 °C, 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 11.19 (s, 1H), 8.10–8.08 (m, 1H), 7.93–7.83 (m, 3H), 7.72 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.16–7.12 (m, 5H), 7.06 (t, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.03 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 5.66 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 183.5, 178.4, 150.8, 148.8, 135.1, 134.9, 134.4, 131.8, 131.2, 130.2, 128.7, 126.9, 126.5, 126.3, 126.2, 126.1, 124.9, 124.1, 122.1, 121.6, 119.3, 118.1, 117.3, 113.7, 29.1; IR(KBr): 3407, 2922, 1633, 1685 cm−1; HRMS-ESI (m/z): calcd for C25H14ClNNaO3 [M + Na]+: 434.0560, found: 434.0557.

4. Conclusions

A green and efficient procedure for the synthesis of 1,4-naphthoquinones possessing indole scaffolds was investigated via the three-component reaction of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, substituted salicylic aldehydes, and indoles using In(OTf)3 as a catalyst. The method has the advantages of simple operation, mild reaction conditions, and a hospitable environment.