A sustainable C-H functionalization of indoles, pyrroles and furans under a blue LED with iodonium ylides

Pyrrole and indole derivatives are functionalized via a green initiative with the dimethyl malonate derived phenyl iodonium ylide 4a in the presence of a blue LED via C-H functionalization of the respective heterocycles in methanol to generate the desired compounds 5-7 in moderate to good yields. Control experiments provide insight into the probable reaction mechanism. Finally, the strategy is successfully applied in the generation of azepino[4,5-b]indole 12a/b.

Automated summary

In this study, pyrrole and indole derivatives were functionalized using the dimethyl malonate derived phenyl iodonium ylide 4a in the presence of a blue LED in methanol, resulting in the desired compounds. Control experiments provided insight into the probable reaction mechanism, and the strategy was successfully applied in the generation of other compounds.