Ir(I)-Catalyzed C-H Bond Alkylation of C2-Position of Indole with Alkenes: Selective Synthesis of Linear or Branched 2-Alkylindoles

A cationic iridium-catalyzed C2-alkylation of N-substituted indole derivatives with various alkenes has been developed, which selectively gives linear or branched 2-alkylindoles in high to excellent selectivity. This protocol relies on the use of the carbonyl group on the nitrogen atom of indole as a directing group: a linear product was predominant when an acetyl group was used as a directing group, and a branched product was predominant with a benzoyl group.