Iodide‐Ion‐Catalyzed Carbon–Carbon Bond‐Forming Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling for the Synthesis of Indole Derivatives

Abstract

Abstract The n Bu 4 NI‐catalyzed intramolecular cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction has been applied to the synthesis of 1 H ‐indole derivatives. Intramolecular oxidative coupling of N ‐arylenamines proceeded in the presence of a catalytic amount of n Bu 4 NI and tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) to afford the corresponding 1 H ‐indole derivatives in good‐to‐excellent yields. A preliminary study of the synthesis of 3 H ‐indole is also reported. This is a rare example of the n Bu 4 NI‐catalyzed C–C bond‐forming CDC reaction.