1,3,5-Triazine group-directed Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H alkylation of indoles with maleimides

Abstract

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed C2-selective C–H activation of indoles bearing a 1,3,5-triazine directing group (DG) with conjugated addition to maleimides under an air atmosphere has been described, furnishing the corresponding products in up to 95% yield. This transformation proceeds efficiently with low catalyst loading, a broad range of substrates with excellent site selectivity, satisfactory product yields and functional group tolerance. The gram-scale reaction was successfully conducted with 0.5 or 0.1 mol% of [RhCp*Cl₂]₂ without a significant decrease in yield.