Reaction of 3-(2-nitrophenyl)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones with triethylphosphite in microwave revisited: One-pot synthesis of 2-aroylindoles and 2-arylquinolines

ABSTRACT

One-pot synthesis of 2-aroylindoles and 2-arylquinolines has been achieved by the reductive cyclization of 3-(2-nitrophenyl)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones with triethylphosphite [P(OEt)₃] under microwave irradiation. The formation of 2-arylquinolines by this method is unprecedented.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• 2-Aroylindoles
• 2-arylquinolines
• microwave irradiation
• 3-(2-nitrophenyl)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones
• P(OEt)₃

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Department of Chemistry, University of Jammu, for providing the necessary facilities and to the Department of Science and Technology, government of India, New Delhi, for the NMR facility under PURSE.