Palladium-Catalyzed Dearomative Heck/Suzuki Coupling of C2-Deuterated or C2-Nonsubstituted Indoles

Org Lett. 2024 Mar 29;26(12):2359-2364. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c00166. Epub 2024 Mar 15.

Abstract

A palladium-catalyzed dearomative diarylation of C2-deuterated or C2-nonsubstituted indoles through domino Heck/Suzuki coupling is established. Relying on electron-deficient phosphite ligand, side reactions including intermolecular Suzuki coupling and intramolecular C-D/H arylation are inhibited and a wide range of 2,3-diarylated indolines bearing vicinal tertiary stereocenters including deuterated ones are afforded in moderate to excellent yields (up to 94%) and excellent diastereoselectivities (>20:1). The catalyst loading can be lowered to 0.02 mol % at elevated temperature.