Novel bronsted acid catalyzed three-component alkylations of indoles with N-phenylselenophthalimide and styrenes

Novel and efficient Bronsted acid (p-TsOH) catalyzed inter- and intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylations have been developed to synthesize selenated three-component coupling and selenation-cyclization indole derivatives. Chemical removal of the phenylseleno moiety was investigated, and the reaction mechanisms were discussed.