Bronsted acid catalyzed C3-selective propargylation and benzylation of indoles with tertiary alcohols

A Bronsted acid catalyzed C3-selective tert-alkylation of indoles using tertiary propargylic and benzylic alcohols has been developed. New C3-propargylated indole derivatives with a quaternary carbon at the propargylic position have been efficiently synthesized. Reactions were performed in air with undried solvents, and water was the only side product of the process.