Ruthenium catalyzed remote C4-selective C–H functionalisation of carbazoles via σ-activation

Abstract

We report the C4-selective C–H alkylation of carbazole derivatives furnished with a pyrimidine directing group at N9. This was realized using ruthenium catalyzed σ-activation methodology, whereby C–H activation at C1 enables the interaction of this ruthenacycle, at the para position to the metal center, with tertiary alkyl radicals.