Direct Conversion of Indoles to 3,3-Difluoro-2-oxindoles<i>via</i>Electrophilic Fluorination

Abstract

3,3-Difluoro-2-oxindoles can be obtained directly from indoles in moderate yields via electrophilic fluorination using N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide as a mild fluorinating reagent. The presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide during the reaction, together with additional heating after quenching the reaction with triethylamine, is beneficial to the formation of the desired product.