A Highly Selective Tandem Cross-Coupling of<i>gem</i>-Dihaloolefins for a Modular, Efficient Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Indoles

Abstract

A highly efficient method of indole synthesis using gem-dihalovinylaniline substrates and an organoboron reagent was developed via a Pd-catalyzed tandem intramolecular amination and an intermolecular Suzuki coupling. Aryl, alkenyl, and alkyl boron reagents are all successfully employed, making for a versatile modular approach. The reaction tolerates a variety of substitution patterns on the aniline leading to indoles with group at C2-C7. The orthogonal approach of the sequential copper- and palladium-mediated synthesis of 1,2-diarylindoles exploited the wide availability of diverse organoboron reagents.