Cationic Ruthenium(II) Catalysts for Oxidative C-H/N-H Bond Functionalizations of Anilines with Removable Directing Group: Synthesis of Indoles in Water

Abstract

Cationic ruthenium(II) complexes enabled oxidative C-H bond functionalizations with anilines bearing removable directing groups. The C-H/N-H bond cleavages occurred most efficiently in water as a sustainable solvent and provided general access to various bioactive indoles. Mechanistic studies provided strong support for a novel reaction manifold.