Ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of indoles from anilines and epoxides

Abstract

A general synthetic route to indoles from readily available anilines and epoxides by using ruthenium catalysis is described. This straightforward transformation allows a variety of indoles to be obtained in good yields by using [Ru3(CO)12]/1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene as the catalytic system. Water and hydrogen are formed as the only stoichiometric by-products, making this process highly atom efficient.

Keywords: anilines; epoxides; indole synthesis; ring-opening reactions; ruthenium catalysis.