Synthesis 2007(12): 1841-1847  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-983717
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

PdX2/CuX2-Catalyzed Annulation of 2-Ethynylbenzeneamines: Selective Synthesis of 2-Substituted 3-Halo-1H-indoles

Shi Tanga,b, Ye-Xiang Xiea, Jin-Heng Li*a, Nai-Xing Wang*b
a Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry and Chemical­ Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, P. R. of China
Fax: +86(731)8872531; e-Mail: jhli@hunnu.edu.cn;
b Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. of China
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Publication History

Received 6 March 2007
Publication Date:
08 June 2007 (online)

Abstract

A novel and effective protocol for the synthesis of 2-substituted 3-halo-1H-indoles by PdX2/CuX2-catalyzed annulations of 2-ethynylbenzeneamines has been developed. In the presence of PdX2 and CuX2, the annulation reactions of a variety of 2-ethynylbenzeneamines were conducted in moderate to good yields. It is noteworthy that only N-acetyl-protected 2-ethynylbenzeneamines can undergo the reaction successfully.