A Versatile Catalyst for Intermolecular Direct Arylation of Indoles with Benzoic Acids as Arylating Reagents

Abstract

Coupled together: With a versatile catalyst system (Pd(TFA)2/Ag2CO3/propionic acid) both electron-rich and -deficient benzoic acids serve as arylating reagents for the direct functionalization of a wide rage of indoles by a combination of decarboxylation and CH bond activation. Depending on the nature of the benzoic acids, the reaction occurs selectively at either the C2- or C3-position of indoles, which may arise from two different catalytic pathways (see scheme; TFA=trifluoroacetate). Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.