2,3-Dimethoxyindolines: a latent electrophile for SNAr reactions triggered by indium catalysts

Abstract

2,3-Dimethoxyindolines (DiMeOINs) have emerged as a latent electrophile in indium-catalyzed S_NAr reactions. They are easily obtained from commercially available indoles and allowed access to 3-substituted indoles. The reaction proceeds via S_NAr reactions of in situ generated 3-methoxyindoles. Formation of C2-substituted indoles was also possible utilizing the C2-nucleophilicity of DIMeOIN. Our protocol is user friendly as DiMeOIN is a bench-stable easy-to-handle crystalline reagent.