Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Regioselective C−H Allylation and Prenylation of Indoles at C4‐Position

Abstract Herein, Rh(III)‐catalyzed C4‐selective C−H allylation and prenylation of indoles by using a weak carbonyl coordination directing group have been reported. By employing 5‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxan‐2‐ones, 4‐vinyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐2‐ones and 2‐methyl‐2,3‐butadiene as scalable cross‐coupling partners, these divergent synthesis protocols proceed smoothly under redox‐neutral reaction conditions, delivering various allylated and prenylated indoles in moderate to satisfied yields. This transformation exhibits high functional‐groups compatibility and broad substrate scope. Scale‐up experiment and mechanistic studies were also accomplished. magnified image