A Highly Regioselective C-3 Benzylation Reaction of Indoles with Alcohols Catalysed by an N-Heterocyclic Carbene. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Yan-fang; Lu, Guo-ping; Cai, Chun
• Is Part Of: Journal of chemical research. Volume 39:Number 8(2015)
• Page Start: 438
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: N-heterocyclic carbene -- benzylation -- indole -- alcohol -- base -- 3-benzyl indoles -- 3-substituted indoles; Chemistry -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.3184/174751915X14376593652711
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-5198

Abstract

The direct C-3 alkylation of indoles with primary and secondary alcohols through the combination of KOH and an N-heterocyclic carbene is described. The KOH/NHC-catalysed system can give desired C-3 alkylated indoles with high selectivity in moderate to excellent yields. Moreover, this process has obvious advantages such as high atom economy and the absence of a metal source.