Anionic Cycloaddition in the Synthesis of Carbazoles : Methodology development and natural product synthesis

Over the last few years, a wide range of biologically active carbazole alkaloids have been isolated from plant sources. Many of these natural products manifest a variety of biological activities. In addition to their use in medicinal chemistry, carbazoles have attracted increasing attention from the community of material scientists owing to their potential in photophysical and optoelectronic applications. Polyvinylcarbazole (PVK) has been extensively investigated for its use in photorefractive materials and xerography, while N-ethylcarbazole (ECz) was recognized as an effective charge-transporting functional plasticizer for PVK and other doped polymers. In view of these important applications, we set out to develop an anionic cycloaddition for the carbazole synthesis and to apply the method to the synthesis of naturally occurring carbazoles. The dissertation results should be useful to researchers and especially to students and professionals in organic chemistry, material chemistry or medicinal chemistry fields.