Photoinduced Copper‐Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of Indoles: Three‐Component Coupling of Arylamines, Terminal Alkynes, and Quinones

Abstract

Abstract The first successful example of a visible‐light‐induced copper‐catalyzed process for CH annulation of arylamines with terminal alkynes and benzoquinone is described. This three‐component reaction allows use of a variety of commercial terminal alkynes as coupling partners for the one‐step regioselective synthesis of functionalized indoles. Moreover, the current process represents a sustainable and atom‐economical approach for the preparation of complex indoles from easily accessible starting materials under visible‐light irradiation, without the need for expensive metals and harsh reaction conditions.