A regiodivergent Truce–Smiles rearrangement: a strategy for the synthesis of arylated indoles promoted by KN(SiMe3)2

The first highly regioselective tandem indole formation/Truce–Smiles rearrangement controlled by choice of ligands for K + is presented. Use of N , N -diethylethylenediamine gives 2,3-disubstituted indoles whereas 18-crown-6 gives benzhydryl indoles.