Synthesis of C4-Substituted Indoles via a Catellani and C-N Bond Activation Strategy

This paper describes the case of a cross study between the C-N bond cleavage reaction field and the Catellani-Lautens reaction system. A series of highly functionalized C4-substituted indoles were synthesized using this strategy. By screening the alkyl groups of amines, the energy barrier of C-N bond cleavage reaction was reduced and the corresponding allenization products were avoided. Finally, the density functional theory calculation shows that the inert C-N bond activation reaction is not a concerted process; on the contrary, the coupling reaction first generates indole quaternary ammonium salt, and then C-N bond cleavage occurs via an S_N2 process.