Fast, efficient Ru(IV)-catalysed regioselective allylation of indoles using allyl alcohol (without additives) under mild conditions

The new Ru(IV) salt, [Ru(eta(3)-C3H5)(Cp*)(CH3CN)(2)](PF6)(2), is an excellent catalyst for the regioselective allylation of a variety of indole compounds using allyl alcohol as substrate; there are no co-catalysts required in this chemistry and the yields and reaction conditions are very favorable.