Ruthenium-Catalyzed, Site-Selective C–H Allylation of Indoles with Allyl Alcohols as Coupling Partners

Abstract

A new ruthenium-catalyzed, heteroatom-directed strategy for C-H allylation of indoles is described. The use of allyl alcohols as coupling partners as well as pyridine as the removable directing group is highlighted. This methodology provides access to C2-allylated indoles by utilizing a strategy that does not require prefunctionalization of either of the coupling partners.