Experimental and Computational Studies on Ru-II-Catalyzed C7-Allylation of Indolines with Allyl Bromide

The selective C7-allylation of indolines with allyl bromide under ruthenium catalysis has been revealed here. Under established reaction conditions, C7-allylation of various indolines, including drug compounds, was accomplished with good selectivity and yields. Based on combined experimental and density functional theory (DFT) studies, the olefin insertion route was energetically favorable among four possible pathways. Experimental and DFT studies further revealed that the C-H activation is a reversible rate-limiting step.

Automated summary

Selective C7-allylation of indolines with allyl bromide under ruthenium catalysis is demonstrated in this study. Good selectivity and yields were achieved for the C7-allylation of various indolines, including drug compounds, under established reaction conditions. Combined experimental and density functional theory (DFT) studies suggest that olefin insertion is the energetically favorable pathway among four possible routes. Furthermore, experimental and DFT studies reveal that C-H activation is a reversible rate-limiting step.