Synthesis of 7-alkylidene-7,12-dihydroindolo[3,2-d]benzazepine-6-(5H)-ones (7-alkylidene-paullones) by N-cyclization–oxidative Heck cascade and characterization as sirtuin modulators

An extension of our reported protocol to benzofused heterocyclic derivatives (benzofurans, indoles, isochromeneimines), involving a palladium-induced cascade of N-cyclization and oxidative Heck reactions of o-alkynylanilines, has allowed the preparation of indolobenzazepinones (paullones) with an alkylidene group at C7 in just 3-4 steps from ortho-iodoanilines. Some of these compounds behave as Sirt1 activators in biochemical assays.