NEW DIMENSIONS IN INDOLE CHEMISTRY - FROM LIGAND DESIGN TO NATURAL-PRODUCTS

Specially-activated indoles provide a versatile entry into new ligand systems, especially those based on 2,2'-bi-indolyl and 2,2'-di-indolyl methane building blocks. Their reactions with aldehydes and ketones ge nerate new structures related to important natural products. Cyclisati on reactions between Nl and C2 give pyrrolo[a]indole derivatives, whil st a wider range of cyclisations between NI and C7 give rise to pyrrol oquinoline and pyrrolophenanthridone derivatives.