An efficient one‐pot synthesis of 2‐benzylpyrroles and 3‐benzylindoles

Abstract

Abstract One‐pot regioselective benzylation of pyrroles and indoles using zirconium tetrachloride is discussed. This has been achieved by in‐situ generation of di(1 H ‐pyrrol‐1‐yl)zirconium(IV) chloride and di(1 H ‐indol‐1‐yl)zirconium(IV) chloride. It was observed that benzylation reactions of these complexes using n ‐BuLi occurred at C‐2 position for pyrrole and C‐3 for indole. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.