An Efficient Rhodium/Oxygen Catalytic System for Oxidative Heck Reaction of Indoles and Alkenes via C-H Functionalization

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed direct selective C-2 alkenylation reaction of indoles with alkenes has been developed with molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant. The rhodium/oxygen catalytic system is applicable to a broad range of indoles and alkenes, which provides a novel access to various C-2 alkenylated indoles and pyrroles.