Synthesis of Indoles by Intermolecular Cyclization of Unfunctionalized Nitroarenes and Alkynes: One‐Step Synthesis of the Skeleton of Fluvastatin

Abstract

Abstract The addition of Ru 3 (CO) 12 , dimethyl carbonate, or both to the reaction mixture improves the selectivity of the palladium/phenanthroline‐catalyzed reaction of nitroarenes, arylalkynes, and CO to give 3‐arylindoles. When 4‐fluorophenylacetylene and nitrobenzene are used as substrates, the indole skeleton of Fluvastatin and other pharmaceutically active compounds is obtained in one step.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)