One-pot synthesis of fluorescent 2,4-dialkenylindoles by rhodium-catalyzed dual C–H functionalization

Abstract

Herein, a one-pot approach to the synthesis of 2,4-dialkenylindoles by rhodium-catalyzed dual C–H alkenylation and decarboxylation of indole-3-carboxylic acids with alkenes is described. This protocol provided facile access to diverse 2,4-dialkenylindoles, which were found to exhibit intense fluorescence in the range of 472–530 nm with a quantum yield of up to 0.57 in CH₂Cl₂.