One‐Pot Synthesis of Camalexins and 3,3′‐Biindoles by the Masuda Borylation–Suzuki Arylation (MBSA) Sequence

The Masuda borylation/Suzuki arylation (MBSA) sequence starting from N-protected 3-iodoindoles has successfully been extended to the coupling of five-membered heterocycles and indoles in the arylation step, which could not be achieved with previously developed MBSA methods. By this approach the one-pot nature of the method as well as the use of a simple catalyst system has been retained. The applicability of the method has been demonstrated by the facile synthesis of camalexins and 3,3′-biindoles, compounds of special interest due to their pronounced antifungal, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.