Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of indolyl 4H-chromenes via a multicomponent reaction in ionic liquid

Abstract

Synthesis of indolyl 4H-chromenes via a three-component reaction catalyzed by lipase in ionic liquidsis reported here for the first time. High yields (77–98%) were obtained when Mucor miehei lipase was used as the catalyst in [EMIM][BF4]. Furthermore, [EMIM][BF4] exhibited good reusability in this enzymatic reaction. This study affords a new example of lipase catalytic promiscuity and broadens the application range of ionic liquid in biocatalysis.