Construction of the indole nucleus through C-H functionalization reactions

This review article summarizes C-H functionalization-based synthesis of indoles and related structures (e. g. carbazoles and indolines) with an emphasis on literature after 2000. The discussion is organized into four broadly defined sections: a) via nitrene or carbene insertion into a C-H bond; b) via direct coupling of two sp(2) carbon centers; c) via transition-metal catalyzed C-H amination and d) other strategies.