Simple and Mild Synthesis of Indoles via Hydroamination Reaction Catalysed by NHC-Gold Complexes: Looking for Optimized Conditions

An efficient heterocyclization of 2-alkynylanilines to indole derivatives has been developed. The reaction proceeds under very mild conditions using small amounts of a gold precatalyst. A range of substrates possessing various functional groups were employed, and the substituted indoles were obtained in very good yields.