CO-enabled rhenium hydride catalyst for directed C(sp2)–H bond alkylation with olefins

Abstract

We report the first example of CO-enabled rhenium hydride complex-catalyzed inter- and intra-molecular hydroarylation of activated alkenes, with a broad reaction scope. α,β-Unsaturated ketones, esters and amides are all suitable for this transformation. It affords a novel and convenient protocol to construct 3-methylindolones. In addition, mechanistic investigations suggest that a rhenium carbonyl hydride species may act as a key intermediate.