A simple, convenient and efficient metal-free catalyzed oxidative trimeric reaction of indoles toward a variety of 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2,3′-biindolin-3-one derivatives in moderate to excellent yields has been developed. This transformation proceeds via a tandem oxidative homocoupling reaction by using TEMPO in air as an environmentally benign oxidant. This methodology provides an alternative approach for the direct generation of all-carbon quaternary centers at the C3 position of indoles.
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
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