Ligand-Controlled Selective Synthesis of Indoles and Benzofurans from Secondary Anilines

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c03173
• Publication Date: 2024-10-09T16:04:12Z
• Authors: Chunchen Yuan; Changbo Jia; Wenlong Zhang; Yang’en You; Lei Zhu; Yongping Dong
• Keywords: Benzofuran

A ligand-controlled method for the selective synthesis of indoles and benzofurans from secondary anilines has been discovered. six-ring palladacycle intermediate may be involved in this process by olefins as a transient directing mediator to give indoles. The indole/benzofuran ratio can easily tuned MPAA ligand. Various substituted were well-tolerated, affording corresponding products moderate good yields. Indole-derived drugs such JWH-081, BB-22, ML-098 could obtained using our new achieve their precursors. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that BQ is key factor avoiding β-H elimination insertion species.