Photoredox-catalysis was synergistically merged with nickel-catalysis for the synthesis of biologically important 3-benzyl indoles with good functional group tolerance. The merit of this methodology is demonstrated by the synthesis of amino acid derived substrates.

Abstract

Late-stage functionalization of indoles can be a valuable strategy for modifying different existing indolyl-drugs and natural products to get their new analogues. In this study, we report the photoredox-metal catalyzed decarboxylative arylation strategy of indole-3-acetic acids with aryl halides. Here, photoredox-catalysis was synergistically merged with nickel-catalysis for the synthesis of biologically important 3-benzyl indoles with good functional group tolerance. The merit of this methodology is demonstrated by the synthesis of amino acid derived substrates 3 p, 3 v and 3 x.