Ruthenium-catalyzed monodeuterium-methylenation of two indole units with vinylene carbonate as a novel methylene precursor

A new example of deuteration, involving ruthenium-catalyzed monodeuterium-methylenation of indole units with vinylene carbonate, is described. This reaction was used to build an array of promising highly deuterated bisindolylmethanes (d-BIMs). This methodology featured excellent functional group compatibility with diverse substrate categories such as indoles, N,N-dialkylanilines, and 1,3-dicarbonyls as well as having showcased the distinct chemical function of VC as an innovative methylene precursor.