Synthesis of Potential Anticancer 1-(1H-Indol-3-yl)isoquinolines by Silver Nitrate Mediated Tandem Reactions of 2-Alkynyl­benzaldehyde Azines and Indoles

Novel antitumor compounds featuring isoquinoline and indole moieties were synthesized by a silver nitrate promoted domino reaction involving intramolecular cyclization, nucleophilic addition of indole, and subsequent N–N bond cleavage. The transformation from readily available starting materials into an interesting class of indole-substituted isoquinolines was completed under mild conditions and by simple operations in moderate to good yields. The antitumor activity of these compounds in vitro was significantly greater than that of a reference compound, 5-fluorouracil. The products might serve as new lead compounds for drugs for the treatment of cancer.