Cyclic Structural Motifs in 5,6-Dihydroxyindole Polymerization Uncovered: Biomimetic Modular Buildup of a Unique Five-Membered Macrocycle

An unprecedented 5,6-dihydroxyindole macrocycle (4) featuring a rigid twisted backbone was obtained by biomimetic oxidative cross-coupling of the 2,2′-biindole 2 and triindole 3. A putative reaction intermediate, 2-quinone, was detected and characterized by pulse radiolysis and DFT calculations. Discovery of 4 indirectly supports for the first time theoretically predicted cyclic structural motifs as potential eumelanin building blocks.