Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed C-H activation of indoles: a facile synthesis of 3-cyanoindoles

Indoles undergo smooth cyanation with CuCN in the presence of 20 mol% Pd(OAc)(2) and 40 mol% CuBr2 in DMF to produce a wide range of the corresponding 3-cyanoindoles in good yields with high regioselectivity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.