Gold-catalysed direct couplings of indoles and pyrroles with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

The gold-catalysed direct couplings of indoles 1 and pyrroles 5 with 1,3-dicarbonyls 2 is described. This new method for C-C bond formation allows high functional group tolerance, regioselectivity, and scope under relatively mild conditions. Moreover, the 3-alkenylindoles 3 can be readily available through gold-catalysed sequential cyclization/alkenylation reaction of 2-alkynylanilines derivatives 4 with 1,3-dicarbonyis 2.